Hon Speaker, there are many lessons that can be learnt from our intervention in Eldorado Park in the south of Johannesburg. The most important lesson is that communities must organise themselves to collectively stop the sale of drugs. Communities must work with the police and report wrongdoing by the police where there is any. Government's impact will be minimal if communities do not participate actively in the fight against the scourge. Visible leadership from all spheres of government, working in partnership with local NGOs and functioning local drug action committees, is vital for effective action.
From the government side, the Interministerial Committee to Combat Alcohol and Substance Abuse has developed policies and actions aimed at reducing the supply of and demand for alcohol and drugs, and eradicating their abuse.
Using the National Drug Master Plan as a guide, we are strengthening prevention and awareness programmes to educate the youth about the negative effects of alcohol and drug abuse. It is for this reason that the Youth Month theme for this year is, "Working together for youth development and a drug free South Africa".
On 26 June we will join the world in marking the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking under the theme, "Make health your 'new high' in life, not drugs".
We must not lose the momentum gained in Eldorado Park. Early intervention programmes and services should also be put into place to assist parents, teachers and caregivers to identify and help young people before they become addicted to drugs and alcohol.
The National Drug Master Plan 2013-2017 will be tabled in Cabinet soon. It outlines the roles of all spheres of government, nongovernmental organisations, and the business sector.
These roles are captured within three pillars of intervention, namely supply reduction; demand reduction; and harm reduction. The Central Drug Authority, provincial substance abuse forums and local drug action committees are to be strengthened to ensure effective functioning.
Each one of us has a role to play in combating the scourge of substance abuse. Eldorado Park has shown that if we stand together, we can defeat the scourge. This is a matter of life and death for our society. I expect every member of this House to actively support this national campaign. It is a scourge we have to overcome. It is a scourge we shall overcome! I thank you. [Applause.]