Hon members, a significant part of government's programme in the fight against substance abuse is led by the Central Drug Authority. This is a statutory body made up of a number of government departments, nongovernmental and community-based organisations, academics and substance abuse experts.
It has the responsibility to co-ordinate efforts to reduce the supply of and demand for drugs and substances of abuse; strengthen efforts aimed at eliminating drug trafficking and related crimes; promote the integration of substance abuse issues into the mainstream of socioeconomic development programmes; ensure appropriate intervention strategies through awareness raising, education, prevention, and early intervention and treatment programmes; and promote partnerships and the participation of all stakeholders at local and provincial levels in the fight against substance abuse.
The objectives and plans of the Central Drug Authority are captured in a National Drug Master Plan. The government departments involved in this plan include Arts and Culture, Correctional Services, Basic Education, Higher Education and Training, International Relations and Co-operation, Health, Home Affairs, Justice and Constitutional Development, Labour, Social Development, Police, Sport and Recreation, Trade and Industry, and Transport, as well as the SA Revenue Service. Particular government departments are charged with drawing up and implementing operational plans, referred to as Mini Drug Master Plans, in line with their core functions. Youth substance abuse has been identified as one of the key priorities in the Drug Master Plan.
In recognising the critical situation of growing substance abuse in South Africa, Cabinet has set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Substance Abuse, IMC, chaired by the Minister of Social Development. Eight Ministers and Deputy Ministers are part of this committee. Youth substance abuse has been a specific focus of the IMC. Plans to reduce substance abuse, which have taken into account local and international best practice, have recently been adopted by Cabinet.
Given the importance of obtaining wide stakeholder involvement in substance abuse strategies and plans, the Department of Social Development and the Central Drug Authority hosted a Substance Abuse Summit in March 2011. This was attended by 750 stakeholders, comprising the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Substance Abuse, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the World Health Organisation, the Parliament of South Africa, provincial executives, legislatures, substance abuse forums, local drug action committees, organised labour, the House of Traditional Leaders, faith-based organisations, civil society organisations, community-based organisations and youth structures.
The government and other stakeholders signed a declaration committing to accelerated action to ensure the implementation of the resolutions adopted by this summit. These resolutions have been incorporated into the main plans of the Inter-Ministerial Committee. I thank you.