The South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU), a project of the Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance use and Tobacco Research Unit of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), is a vital initiative established in 1996 to monitor trends in alcohol and other drug (AOD) use across South Africa. Operating as a sentinel surveillance system, SACENDU collects and analyses data from various treatment centres and community-based harm reduction services throughout all nine provinces, including Service Quality Measures (SQM). Its primary objectives include identifying changes in the nature and extent of AOD use, understanding associated negative consequences, informing policy and advocacy efforts, and stimulating research in under-researched areas related to substance use.
Summary of the October 2024 Symposiums
In October 2024, SACENDU hosted a series of symposiums in Gauteng, The Northern Region (Mpumalanga and Limpopo), Kwazulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Central Region (Northern Cape, Free State and North West). The current landscape of substance use disorders reveals several critical areas for research, monitoring, and policy development. The following sections outline key implications based on the observed trends and data.
Key highlights included:
- There is a notable increase in scholars seeking treatment in the Northern Region and the Eastern Cape, alongside a rise in unregistered treatment centres in the NR. This trend indicates a gap in accessible, formal treatment options, exacerbated by funding cuts that affect established centres. The proliferation of unregistered centres poses significant risks, including inadequate care and potential harm to patients.
- Policymakers should prioritize funding for registered treatment facilities including community harm reduction facilities to meet the growing demand and ensure quality care.
- Mental health issues have emerged as a significant co-morbidity among substance users across all regions. Further statistical analysis is needed to explore associations between specific mental health conditions and substance use patterns, particularly focusing on heroin and methamphetamine users.
- Encouraging routine HIV testing among young people in GP and promoting Hepatitis C screening for people who use drugs (PWUDs) are essential practices. These initiatives should be supported by public health campaigns aimed at reducing stigma associated with testing.
- The need for gender-specific services across all provinces should be explored further. Tailored interventions can address unique vulnerabilities faced by different gender groups within the context of substance use.
- Public awareness campaigns are necessary to combat the overprescribing of medications. Positive interactions between physicians and patients should be promoted to enhance understanding of prescription risks.
- Developing youth-targeted support initiatives, particularly around vaping and substance use prevention through platforms like TikTok, can engage younger audiences effectively. Research into barriers to care for adolescents is also needed to inform low-threshold service models.
- A whole-of-community approach is vital to address visible drug use within communities. Engaging community members in discussions about supply and demand dynamics can help shift norms around substance use.
These symposiums not only disseminated valuable research findings but also fostered collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to enhance the effectiveness of substance use interventions in South Africa.
View moments from the symposium | HERE