From a vision to action: making the National Drug Master Plan(s) work in South Africa

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the challenges militating against the successful implementation of the National Drug Master Plans (NDMPs). The paper used a literature review methodology to reflect on substance abuse trends, legislations, methods and strategies towards revealing their inherent weaknesses and shortfalls which are rendering NDMPs ineffective and/or unsuccessful in South Africa. The findings of the paper demonstrated that poor articulation of the NDMPS, poor boarder control mechanisms, corruption, emphasis on supply reduction and neglect of harm reduction strategies, lack of social capital and repugnant and unpalatable religious and cultural beliefs are some of the factors causing the NDMPs to continue to fail in their quest of rehabilitating South African environments of drugs. The paper concluded by proposing that, for NDMPS to be a success, South Africa needs to mobilize adequate social capital for NDMPs, make available enough financial resources for treatment and preventative work, upgrade boarder control systems, make treatment services easily available to disenfranchised groups including women, children and rural populations, create knowledge sharing platforms for those who work with addictions and build community based detoxification facilities.