Background |
More than one in ten South Africans will experience a substance use disorder in their lifetime.[1] This figure is climbing and is higher in areas such as the Western Cape.[2] Drug use is criminalised and often blamed for many of the social ills experienced by communities, whether true or not, thus contributing to significant levels of stigma and shame frequently reported by drug users. Compounding this is the realisation that there is a lack of affordable, evidence-based treatment and prevention strategies in operation, and even in those instances where they do exist, accessing these services is challenging, particularly for people from poorer and previously disadvantaged communities.[3]
There is, and has been, little sustained reflection on the negative effects of the current drug policy paradigm in South Africa. These effects include the criminalisation of large portions of the population, significant criminal justice costs, stigmatisation and social exclusion. These factors in turn have consequences on health-seeking behaviour and employment prospects which directly impacts on the economy of the country. Indeed, the country’s drug policies have not been significantly reviewed since 1994, now some two decades in the past. As a consequence, current policies are ultimately based on international treaties that were themselves heavily influenced by the “drug war” polemic, informed by ideas which have been shown in numerous instances to have little scientific basis, and which show scant regard for the lived experiences of many drug users and the socio-structural conditions which continue to make meaningful their drug use. Situated contemporarily, moreover, one cannot escape the increasing irony that while many of these policies were first driven by racists motivations, little discussion of this has occurred in South Africa despite the concept’s particular resonance with broader public discourse. Internationally, the drug policy landscape has changed dramatically, with the “war on drugs” increasingly being recognised as not only a failure, but one that has had significant and multiple consequences that can only be described as negative, amongst which are included the many human rights abuses that have been suffered by vulnerable populations. These abuses include criminalisation, arbitrary detention and over-incarceration, restrictions on the right to health, restriction of cultural and indigenous rights, reduced social security, poverty and loss of due process within the criminal justice system. [4] The United Nations General Assembly held a special session (UNGASS) on drugs in 2016. During 2016 and 2017 there were many indications that there may be a shift in policy in South Africa - the Central Drug Authority released a position statement on both harm reduction and the decriminalisation of cannabis and legal regulation. The National Strategic Plan fell short on calling for decriminalisation, but include HIV prevention measures such a needle and syringe programmes and opioid substitution therapy (OST). The Global Fund provided funding for needle and syringe programs and other harm reduction interventions for people who inject drugs and plan to launch an OST project in the near future. Two OST projects have been launched in 2017. Where do we go from here? What is the future of drug policy? Will South Africa embrace Human Rights, health and harm reduction? Or will we revert to the punitive policies that have been shown to increase the harms related to drug use and keep communities marginalised, pathologised and criminalised? Now is the time to speak out and ensure that our drug policies match our costitution. [1] Stein D., Seedat S., Herman A, Moolman H, Heeringa SG., Kessler RC., Williams R., (2008) “Lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders in South Africa”, British Journal of Psychiatry [2] Burnhams N., Dada S. (2014). “Patterns and trends of heroin use and injection behaviour in South Africa with specific emphasis on the Western Cape". Presentation on 11 November 2014 [3] Scheibe A, et al (2014). Rapid Assessment of HIV among People Who Inject Drugs in Five South Afican Cities. Draft report. UNODC; Pretoria. [4] Count the Costs: 50 Years of the War on Drugs (2011) Transform Drug Policy Foundation |
Aim & Objectives
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Aim
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Outcomes
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Expected Outcomes
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About TB/HIV Care Association
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TB/HIV Care Association runs the Step Up Project, the first project to deliver the World Health Organisation recommended package of HIV prevention services for injecting drug users in 3 cities in South Africa.
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Since 1929 TB/HIV Care Association has been advocating for social justice and the promotion of health as a human right. The vision of the organization is to be a leader in empowering communities and defending the rights of marginalised populations, with a focus on TB and HIV. Since 2012, THCA has focused on improving the rights and health of people who use drugs (PWUD). PWUD, who are identified as a key population in South Africa’s National Strategic Plan, are often excluded from society due to legal frameworks, discrimination and stigmatisation. THCA is committed to advocating for sensible drug policies that do not place additional burdens on community members who use drugs. We recognise that this is an important health and human rights issue. We recognise the important role that drug policy has to play in the health rights of many, and we are therefore pleased to be able to launch a national dialogue that encourages critical debate around South Africa's current and future drug policies.
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