Given the high prevalence of substance abuse and illicit trafficking, which affects negatively the wellbeing of the country’s population, the Department of Social Development and the Central Drug Authority (CDA), will from 14 - 16 November, host the 3rd National Summit on Substance Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, at Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre, in Boksburg.

Under the theme: “Towards sustainable, coordinated and impactful strategies for national drug and substance use in South Africa” the Summit will unfold on the premise of the need to realise a South Africa free of substance abuse through capacity building sessions on collaborative and coordinated evidence based and sustainable socio-economic interventions.

Civil Society Organisations together with experts, leaders in government attending  the Summit are expected to deliberate on Drug Demand Reduction, Drug Supply Reduction, Access to medicines and prevention of NPS Diversion, Governance, Accountability and Leadership, Research Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Economic Development, as key thematic areas of the Summit.

The Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu will address the conference.

Minister Zulu will be accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Social Development, Mrs Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, and the Chairperson of the Central Drug Authority, Ms Nandi Mayathula-Khoza.

Setting the scene and sharing lived experiences, affected and infected persons from various provinces across South Africa will be speaking at the opening ceremony. Former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates player, Junaid Hartley, now a recovered substance user, will be sharing his fourteen-year battle with addiction and sleeping on the streets of Johannesburg.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the 3rd National Summit planned as follows:

Date:    14-16 November 2023

Time:  09h00 daily  

Virtual: www.dsdtv.org.za

Venue: Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre, 44 Viewpoint Road, Bartlett in Boksburg,

            Gauteng Province

Media can RSVP by contacting Mr Jaconia Kobue on 0632495120 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Ms Nomfundo Lentsoane on 0664806845 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Media enquiries can be directed to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 083 484 8067 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.