Rehabilitation of Persons with Substance Dependencies: briefing by Department
Social Development
18 October 2006
Meeting Summary
A summary of this committee meeting is not yet available.
Meeting report
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
18 October 2006
REHABILITATION OF PERSONS WITH SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCIES: BRIEFING BY DEPARTMENT
Chairperson: Ms T Tshivase (ANC)
Documents handed out:
Presentation on
Departments guidelines for the rehabilitation of persons with substance
dependencies
Minimum norms and standards for in patient treatment centers
Model for the treatment of substance dependent youth in residential facilities
[Please email [email protected] for
missing documents]
SUMMARY
The Department of Social Development presented on its guidelines for the
rehabilitation of persons with substance dependencies, outlining the nature and
extent of the drug problem, the minimum norms and standards for inpatient
treatment centers, the implementation of the minimum norms and standards, centre-based
rehabilitation, the registration of treatment centres, models for the treatment
of youth in residential facilities, elements of community-based intervention,
challenges in accessing treatment and rehabilitation services and the proposed
measures to address these challenges. Of particular concern to the Committee
was the department’s ability to access the necessary funding for such a
programme and how well the department had consulted other important
stakeholders. The Committee also expressed concern that the Youth Fund and the
Youth Commission did not attend the meeting. The Committee also highlighted the
need for a comprehensive marketing strategy.
MINUTES
Presentation by the Department of Social Development (DSD)
Ms Constance Nxumalo, Director: Substance abuse
and CDA, Department of Social Development; (DSD) briefed the Committee
on the Department’s policy on the management of substance abuse. In her
presentation she highlighted the dire problem of substance abuse by South
African youth. The Department had minimum norms and standards for inpatient
treatment centres, and for centre based rehabilitation. She outlined how
centres would obtain registration with the Department and set out some of the
models for the treatment, particularly of youth, in residential facilities. A
needs analysis was conducted by the Department to ascertain training needs
before implementation of the programme. She explained that the programme was
aimed as a community-based intervention strategy. The Department’s developed a
minimum norms and standards code that would be rolled out to provinces.
Challenges remained in accessing treatment and rehabilitation services and she
described the proposed measures to address these challenges.
Discussion
Mr M Waters (DA) asked if a non-compliance inspectorate would be
established to monitor the implementation of the minimum norms and standards.
Ms Nxumalo replied that most facilities were not complying. However, the
Department would not register new facilities that do not comply. The challenges
for the department were therefore the old institutions and the ones that had
not registered.
Mr M Waters (DA) asked what budget applications have been made for the next
financial year.
Ms C Nxumalo replied that in terms of government run facilities, several gaps
have been identified during the pilot programme in terms of budget allocations.
The necessary applications would be made
Mr M Waters (DA) commented that there was an abundance of drugs on the streets.
He asked whether the Department had consulted with the South African Police
Services (SAPS).
Ms Nxumalo replied that SAPS had provided the department with a report on how
best to deal with the problems of drug abuse and availability.
Mr B Mkongi commented that the Northern Cape was in crisis and had only two
treatment centres. He asked what was the impact of stigmatization and how would
the department address the situation.
Ms Nxumalo replied that the Northern Cape in fact had no State facility and
that the Treasury was approached for funding for a 65-bed facility.
Mr P Viviers, Deputy-Director responsible for substance abuse, DSD, commented
that State institutions were challenged because many patients had been referred
to them in terms of Section 296 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Social workers
in the community would advise patients, who invariably had criminal records.
Ms Nomathemba Kela, Chief Director, DSD,
commented that while it might not be necessary to establish an inspectorate, it
was necessary for the Department to conduct inspections. It was important for
the Departments of Social Development, Health and Safety and Security to work
together. Treatment centres where drugs were smuggled must be addressed as
urgent. She also explained that budgetary constraints would always be there and
that the Department had consulted SAPS, who in turn had consulted international
agencies on the matter. Ms Kela stressed that the abuse of drugs was an illness
just like any other and that communities should take some responsibility and
not leave it solely to government. Only sound awareness programmes would deal
with the issue of stigma and the Department could not keep building treatment
centres without dealing with the root causes of substance abuse.
Mr M Waters commented that drug pushers and dealers got bail too easily. The
Department of Home Affairs and the SAPS must do more than provide reports. The
issue of drugs on the streets was a crisis and must be treated as such. Mr
Waters wondered whether international best practices had been followed.
The Chairperson asked how to deal with the problem where officials were
involved in the trafficking of drugs?
Ms Nxumalo responded that the Department of Justice must address the issue of
drug pushers and peddlers and corruption must be addressed by SAPS.
Mr P Viviers commented that the main challenge occurred when patients left
treatment centers since there was a lack of good after-care facility.
Ms Kela commented that communities who reported drug related crime were not
protected.
Ms Lana Petersen, Parliamentary Liaison Officer, DSD, commented that
international drug syndicates should not be underestimated. The Assets
Forfeiture Unit had the power to seize assets from criminal investigations. She
also stated hat there was a vast difference in drug abuse in urban centres and
drug abuse in rural communities.
Mr Waters commented that the Kimogo campaign must be a national campaign and
could not be left to the provinces. The Department must establish how many
billboards, radio advertisements and other methods it would use to support its
campaign.
Ms Nxumalo commented that the Department had drafted a strategy that was
submitted to the Treasury.
Mr Waters questioned why the Youth Commission and the Youth Fund were not
present at the meeting
Mr B Mkongi (ANC) recommended that a new date be set for the Youth Fund and the
Youth Commission to attend
The meeting was adjourned.
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