PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE AND NCOP PRESENTATION DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 24/8/05

Outline of Presentation Introduction Background The NDMP The role of CDA The process of selection of new CDA members Recommendations Conclusion

Introduction The major purpose of this presentation is to brief the Portfolio committee and NCOP on the need to select the new members of the CDA as the term of office of the current CDA members expire on 31 st August 2005 To inform the Portfolio committee and NCOP on progress made regarding this process

Background The appointment of CDA members is in terms of the Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act (20/1992) The CDA members are appointed from the government departments and civil society They have to advise Minister, stakeholders and NGO ’ s in the field of substance abuse and also coordinate the process of preventing substance abuse in South Africa

Background cont Term of office of current CDA members expires on 31 st August 2005 and the process to appoint new members has started The Secretariat for the CDA was appointed in December 2002 and consist of one Deputy Director and one Assistant Director The Secretariat is located within Social Development and all their resources are paid from the line function budget-Substance abuse

Background cont The role of the Secretariat is to drive the day to day work of the CDA and facilitate the implementation of decisions taken at the CDA meetings and especially with regard to the implementation of the NDMP

The NDMP The old NDMP has expired and the New NDMP ’ s review process has been completed and will be tabled as soon as internal processes are completed The new priority areas are: crime, youth, other vulnerable groups, community health, Research and information dissemination, international involvement, communication, capacity building and occupational groups at risk

Role of CDA Oversee and monitor the implementation of the National Drug Master Plan Facilitate the coordination of programmes Encourage government departments and private sector to draw up plans to address drug abuse in line with the goals of the National Drug Plan Review the National Drug Master Plan on five yearly basis

Role of CDA cont. Submit annual reports to parliament, that will indicate comprehensive national effort relating to drug problem, and how is being prevented Facilitate the initiation and promote measures, including Legislation, to combat the misuse of drugs Advise the Minister of Social Development, other government departments, stakeholders and NGOs in the field of substance abuse

Process of selection of new CDA members The candidates for this selection are from the Public/civil Society and in terms of the Act are known as drug experts In terms of Section 2 of Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act (20/1992) they should have special knowledge of dealing with alcohol and drug abuse and the treatment of persons dependent on drugs

Process and progress The relevant sections in the Department of Social Development have been consulted The process for advertising has been completed in June 2005 The advert appeared in 11 newspapers, that is, Sunday Times, City Press, Daily sun, Daily Dispatch, Natal Mercury, EP Herald, DF Advertiser, Burger (Western Cape), Volksblad, Beeld, and Cape Argus

Process and progress cont 61 applicants and their nominations were received by the closing date In terms of the Act (20/1992) only 12 experts need to be appointed There are eight categories which appointments must be selected from, that is, NGOs, Research councils and Universities, Business Against Crime, Teachers' union, CBOs, FBOs,Treatment Centres, Addiction Counsellors

Recommendation It is recommended that the Social Development Portfolio committee and NCOP assist to facilitate the process of selecting the CDA members that would serve in the CDA entity for the next five years That the candidates that have time for CDA business over and above their own commitments be selected

Recommendation cont Candidates who have knowledge, experience and committed interest in the field of substance abuse be selected

Conclusion Prevention and treatment of Substance abuse in the country needs concerted efforts of everyone