Training: Empowering South African Local Drug Action Committees through UNODC ROSAF's Health Programme: Strengthening Harm Reduction Initiatives

August 14, 2023 - Cape Town, South Africa

The United Nation’s Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for Southern Africa’s Health Programme facilitated a pioneering capacitation workshop on harm reduction, with selected Local Drug Action Committee (LDACs) representatives during Africa Policy Week; on the 14^th of August 2023 in Cape Town. This capacitation workshop was the first of its kind ever facilitated in South Africa and were much needed given intervention challenges LDACs experience from especially a harm reduction perspective.

The nineteen selected LDAC representatives were excited about this groundbreaking capacitation initiative as LDACs in the country do not always get the opportunity to access evidence-based harm reduction training opportunities. Contributing to the enthusiasm during the capacitation workshop was, an opportunity to raise concerns and challenges regarding uncertainties about harm reduction in the National Drug Master Plan (2019-2024), substance use disorder (SUD) service challenges at municipal level, and to obtain a basic yet reliable understanding of evidence-based harm reduction from renowned experts in the field.

A competent team of harm reduction experts from the South African Network of People Who Use Drugs (SANPUD) facilitated the capacitation workshop and a spectrum of subjects related to the South African harm reduction landscape were covered. The capacitation workshop included theoretical content, robust group discussions and exercises. Contributing to the overwhelming success of this capacitation workshop was an open and honest discussion about harm reduction including resistance to this evidence-based intervention for SUDs based on the country’s long history of abstinence-based services. When attendees evaluated the capacitation workshop, it was ascertained that this thought-provoking engagement was a significant stride forward for both LDACs and Provincial Substance Abuse Forums, as harm reduction advocacy by LDACs and interventions at municipal level is pioneering and uncharted terrain in South Africa.

Professional networking took place among LDAC representatives, and it was encouraging to observe the openness of representatives about their specific harm reduction needs in service delivery. Specific measurable next steps were agreed upon and staff members from SANPUD were assigned to support various representatives. UNODC ROSAF’s Health Programme spearheaded this sought after capacitation workshop and will continue to collaborate with SANPUD to support LDACs in planning and implementing harm reduction interventions.

As LDAC representatives continue to implement their newly acquired harm reduction knowledge and skills, it is encouraging to observe that UNODC ROSAF’s Health Programme ignited professional flames of harm reduction that will make a sustainable impact in communities through Local Drug Action Committees and Provincial Substance Abuse Forums.

Summing up the sentiment expressed by one LDAC representative at the culmination of the workshop: "I've gained an entirely new understanding of harm reduction and believe that it holds the key to addressing substance use disorders in my municipal area."

United Nations

Office on Drugs and Crime

Training: Empowering South African Local Drug Action Committees through UNODC ROSAF's Health Programme: Strengthening Harm Reduction Initiatives