Pretoria - Delegates at the substance abuse summit are urging for a more coordinated approach against alcohol and substance abuse in South Africa.
On day two of the second Biennial Substance Abuse Summit hosted by the Department of Social Development and the Central Drug Authority (CDA) in Durban, representatives of government, civil society, and community based organisations, academics as well as political organisations called for more co-ordination among role players.
"There is no reason to believe that we will overcome this challenge if we do not work together to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse in the whole of society. We have to act now with the determination to put an end to this scourge," said Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini.
A variety of research studies presented at the summit show that the level of alcohol and substance abuse in the country is unacceptably high.
The summit will culminate in the adoption of a national declaration, which will guide the development of a five-year national action plan on alcohol and substance abuse.
