Uniting medical fraternities, tertiary institutions and business stakeholders in its fight against drug abuse is the aim of the launch of the Annual Report of the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board, which takes place tomorrow (Tuesday, 4 March 2014) at the DUT Ritson Campus, Ritson Exam Hall, at 13h00.

The report will be presented by INCB Immediate Past-First Vice-President Dr Lochan Naidoo, who is South Africa’s representative on the United Nations (UN) International Narcotics Control Board.

Dr Naidoo obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) at the University of Natal, South Africa in 1995. He is currently the Clinical Director of the Jullo Addiction Unit at the Jullo Centre, Merbank, Durban. It opened its doors in 1995 and boasts a state the art addiction treatment unit.

He is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Director of Healing Hills Specialist Psychiatry Hospital, South Africa. Apart from his other portfolios, Dr Naidoo is the designer of Rootsonline programme for prevention and aftercare of substance abuse disorders and a Director of ATAC (Access To Addiction Care), a non-profit for advocacy and delivery of care to addicts in South Africa.

In a global effort to find ways to prevent and curb the heavy drugs scourge, the United Nations and the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) highlight the extent of economic and social costs of drug abuse and the exceeding rates of illicit drug abuse in some international countries, at the launch. The Report also highlights regional trends in drug-trafficking and drug abuse, and looks at the spread of ‘legal highs’, prescription drug abuse, cannabis legislation and Afghanistan’s deteriorating drug problem.
In the Vienna-based International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) Precursor report, the President of INCB, Raymond Yans, noted that investment in prevention and treatment is a wise “investment choice” as it can lead to significant savings in health-care and crime-related costs and alleviates the suffering of drug-dependent persons and their families.

“Every dollar spent on prevention can save Governments up to ten dollars in later costs. The INCB Report reveals significant regional disparities in treatment provision: in Africa, only one in 18 problem drug users receives treatment; in Latin America, the Caribbean and South-Eastern Europe, one in 11 problem drug users is treated; and in Northern America one in 3,” he said.

Also due to speak at the event, Alan Khan, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at the Durban University of Technology, said: “Substance abuse and narcotics is a worldwide concern and in South Africa, we are not isolated from the impact of drug use in our society. Therefore, the release of the report and importantly, the regional highlights for us on the African continent, is of tremendous interest and value.

“As a community, we are equally concerned about the impact that drugs have on our students and on South Africans. DUT is part of the fabric of South Africa and therefore, it was important for our University to partner with the United Nations and the International Narcotics Control Board to create a platform for discussion and awareness.”

He also stressed the University needed to create awareness of the challenges faced.

“We need to work with the various organisations in the battle to combat substance abuse and the spread of narcotics. We need to inform communities and empower people. We need to understand the challenges and then implement specific action plans aligned to budget and resources. Students and staff do not live outside the bubble.

” We are part of the community and we must play an active role in educating our student and staff about the dangers of substance abuse. We also have to work with law enforcement authorities and NGO’s so that we can make progress in the struggle to reduce the use of narcotics,” he said.

– Waheeda Peters