Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development

Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development on The Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Bill 21 May 2008

PRESENTATION OUTLINE • • Introduction Context and background Relevant legislation dplg projects and programmes to support implementation Issues for consideration i/r/o the Bill Proposed way forward for the dplg Conclusion 2

INTRODUCTION • The bill is a positive step towards addressing substance abuse • A concerted effort is crucial to success 3

CONTEXT: dplg VISION A capable and well integrated system of government working together to achieve sustainable development and enhanced service delivery in a developmental state 4

CONTEXT: THE 5 -YEAR LG STRATEGIC AGENDA • Mainstreaming hands-on support to LG to improve governance, performance and accountability • Addressing the structure and governance arrangements of the State to better strengthen, support and monitor LG • Refining and strengthening the policy, regulatory and fiscal environment for LG and giving greater attention to enforcement measures 5

CONTEXT: THE KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS FOR LG • Basic service delivery & infrastructure • Municipal transformation and institutional development • Municipal financial viability • Local Economic Development • Good governance and public participation 6

RELEVANT LEGISLATION • Municipal Systems Act • Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act 7

dplg PROJECTS/PROGRAMMES TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION PREVENTION • 16 Days of Activism for no Violence against Women and Children Campaign • Local Economic Development (LED) Programme • Urban Renewal & Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Programme (URP/ISRDP) • Free Basic Services • Youth Development Programmes • LG Response to HIV and AIDS • LOGOLA (Municipal Leadership Dev. Programme) 8

dplg PROJECTS/PROGRAMMES TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION EARLY INTERVENTION • Ward Committees and • Community Development Workers (CDWs) AFTER-CARE & REINTEGRATION • LED • URP/ISRDP OTHER • Establishment of Community-based service centres • IDPs as cross-sphere / interdepartmental tool for integrated planning and service provision 9

ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION • Representation of the National House of Traditional Leaders and SALGA in the Central Drug Authority • Representation of Provincial House of Traditional Leaders in Provincial Substance Abuse Forums • Making municipal Local Drug Action Committees mandatory rather than optional • Making involvement of substance abusers in decision making on their “needs” conditional 10

PROPOSED WAY FORWARD FOR the dplg • Incorporate “Substance Abuse” into the Youth Development Framework for Local Government • Intensify “deliberate” focus on Substance Abuse in other dplg LG programmes • Establish partnership around Substance Abuse focus week 11

CONCLUSION The dplg remains committed to working with other sector departments in all 3 spheres of government as well as with civil society and the private sector to enhance service delivery and to achieve the vision of “a better life for all” including for those involved in and affected by substance abuse. 12

Conclusion “Okuhlula amadoda kuyabikwa” With “all hands on deck, ” and with our collective commitment intensified, we can, indeed, we shall do it! 13

THANK YOU! Ngiyabonga Ke a leboga Ndiyabulela Dankie Ke a leboha Merci 14