Social Development to commemorate International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Alcohol and substance abuse is a socio-economic challenge which impacts negatively on communities across the world. It also impacts negatively on the poor and vulnerable persons as many communities and economies are at risk, the youth dropping out of school, children becoming orphans and families left fragmented because of alcohol and drug abuse.

To address this, the Department of Social Development will on Monday, June 26, engage residents of Randfontein whose lives are affected by the high prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse. The engagement will serve as a commemoration of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, by highlighting socio-economic problems associated with substance abuse.

Last week, the department visited the port of Durban to teach social development officials about maritime drug trafficking.

In the same week, border police officers also attached to the Ngqura sea port seized 32 blocks of cocaine with a street value of R12,8 million. The drugs were found stashed in an empty cargo container. The container was due to transport from South Africa to the United Arab Emirates.

This year’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed under the theme; “Leave no one behind: Availability, Affordability and Access to prevention and treatment services”. With the main objective highlighting harmful effects of substance abuse in communities, this day is also referred to as the World Drug Day, which was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover Commemoration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit trafficking planned as follows:

Date: Monday, 26 June 2023

Time: 12:00

Source: Government of South Africa