The end of September is officially the final date for submissions to the commission responsible for this pernicious legislation. We suggest that you continue to write after the deadline because, invariably, they do accept late submissions. See an excellent press release by DFL here.

Contact Details:

Central Drug Authority
Dr Evodia Mabuza-Mokoko (Secretariat)

012 3127558 tel

012 312 788 fax

Or Ms Vathiswa Dlangamandla

012 312 7244 tel

0862147231 fax

134 Pretorius Street

Pretoria

South Africa

0001

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Submit comments online by clicking on either one of their (the above mentioend people) names at:

http://www.dsd.gov.za/cda/index.php?option=com_contact&catid=53&Itemid=118

or on their feedback page at:

http://www.dsd.gov.za/cda/index.php?option=com_contact&task=view&contact_id=10&Itemid=127

SOME ARGUMENTS (choose some of these if you can write it in your own style and own thinking)

Harm reduction is a term that generally involves:

•          The government supply of free needles to drug addicts

•          State providing free drugs or drug paraphernalia

•          Legalising/decriminalising certain drugs like dagga

•          Methadone maintenance (or  substitution therapy) programs – long term provision of Methadone/Suboxone

•          Providing clinics and areas where drug addict can use drugs

•          Ultimately to legalise the use of all drugs like they did in Portugal

Problems with needle exchange programs

1) some countries are moving away from harm reduction like the Netherlands who are closing their some of their coffee shops.

2) In some countries where they tried needle exchange programs (in order to supposedly prevent the spread of AIDS)  there was a HIV outbreak

3) The drugs used substitution therapy programs are addictive and the patients just get addicted to a new drug.

4) These programs are paid with taxpayer  money and therefore we the public should have a say.

5) There is a huge need for more rehab centres so why waist our tax money on clean needles and substitution therapy that is controversial and lacks evidence of effectiveness.

6) The government is seen as supporting and financing the addict to continue his self destructive behaviour.

7) The police can’t enforce laws against people who are using “government issued needles” when the government provides the tool used to commit the offence

8) Drug addicts spread HIV/AIDS through reckless sexual practices while “high” on drugs, not just dirty needles.

9) In countries with needle exchange programs addicts continue to share needles

10) Our goal should be to eliminate substance abuse, not to find a cleaner and safer way to do it.

11) harm reduction programs are very expensive

12) Addicts loose their motivation to stop with substance abuse. It will cause the addict to have hardly any reason to stop abusing drugs.

The real question is whether the hoped for harm reduction

13) will justify sending out a mixed message that will threaten to undermine society’s other anti-drug efforts – especially those preventative educational efforts aimed at dissuading young audiences from choosing to engage in substance abuse.

14) Can we really hope to encourage and motivate the youth to stay away from drugs or change drug habits while at the same time handing out the very “tool” used purely for substance abuse

15) In some countries more people start using drugs due to the encouragement of government funded clean needles, - the government seems to be condoning their drug addiction.

16) Many die from drug overdose, vehicle accidents etc due to their continue drug addiction.

The solution

•          Our goal should be to do away with substance abuse – not to find a cleaner and safer way to do it.

•          Drug abuse, no matter in what environment it takes place, remains destructive to both the individual and society

•          Harm reduction actually prolongs substance abuse and support drug addicts in their self destructive behaviour

•          Drug addiction is curable even years after being dependant on a certain drug and even if the drug addict ha to try numerous times.