Minister Zulu to inaugurate members of the Central Drug Authority (CDA) Board in Kempton Park
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that South Africa’s geographical location and its international trade links with countries in Asia, Latin America, Western Europe and North America has made it an attractive illicit drug transit country.
Like many other counties located on major illicit drug trafficking routes, South Africa has also experienced a serious increase in illicit drug-related social ills such as drug abuse and associated drug use disorders, especially among young people, resulting in lost potential and opportunities.
With levels of substance use disorders at epidemic levels, the Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu, will on Friday 28 May, inaugurate new members of the Central Drug Authority (CDA) Board in Kempton Park. Established in terms of the Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act No 20 of 1992, the CDA serves as an advisory body with a mandate of fighting against substance abuse.
Members of the Board are expected to work with key stakeholders including the Department of Social Development, law enforcement authorities and the Non-Profit Organisations (NPO) sector to address substance abuse and its effects on families and communities.
This inauguration of the CDA Board is taking place during a time when the country is currently under Level 1 of the Risk Adjusted Strategy due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, the board will also assist with the implementation of the National Drug Master Plan (NDMP) 2019 – 2024 as approved by Cabinet in 2019. The NDMP serves asthe country’s blue print strategy to prevent substance abuse and its related socio-economic impact in society.
The inauguration will take place two days before the launch of the Child Protection Week (CPW) campaign, under the theme, “Let us Protect Children During Covid-19 and Beyond,” which plays a significant role in addressing substance abuse and its impact on children.
The term for the new CDA Board members runs for a period of five years.
Source: Government of South Africa