EMALAHLENI — Community members, healthcare workers, civil society organisations and people who use drugs gathered at Ezinambeni on 06 May 2026 for the launch of a new harm reduction and Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) pilot programme aimed at addressing substance dependence through healthcare-centred interventions rather than punishment or exclusion.
The programme is led by the People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) Sector in partnership with TB HIV Care
and the Madibeng Centre for Research, and will be piloted in Mpumalanga and North West provinces, with Siphosensimbi Clinic identified as the Mpumalanga implementation site.
The pilot forms part of a broader public health approach focused on reducing the harmful effects associated with substance use while promoting dignity, human rights and access to healthcare services.
Harm reduction refers to policies and interventions aimed at minimising the negative health, social and legal impacts of drug use. The approach focuses on supporting individuals without judgement or discrimination while improving access to services.
Speaking during the workshop, Nombulelo Mkhuma said the session aimed to educate communities about substance use and available treatment options.
“The purpose of us having a workshop today was to teach the community about harm reduction and the different drugs that are used in different locations and the different treatments,” she said.
“People who use drugs are the same as us. They have human rights and are protected by law just like any other individual.”
The workshop also highlighted key principles of harm reduction, including providing options, tailoring support to individual needs, involving users in decision-making and ensuring continued access to healthcare services.
Central to the discussion was Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT), a medical treatment used to assist people dependent on opioids such as heroin and nyaope. The treatment involves regulated medication such as methadone or buprenorphine administered by healthcare professionals, combined with psychosocial support.
The pilot project will run for more than 20 months in the two provinces. In Mpumalanga, only 15 participants will initially be enrolled at Siphosensimbi Clinic for methadone treatment aimed at reducing opioid dependence.
Participants will be monitored over a 12-month period, with continued support available depending on individual progress.
Researcher Mmaila Molebatsi from the University of Pretoria said the programme could benefit both individuals and communities affected by substance use.
“Substance abuse problems do not only affect users, but also families and communities,” he said.
“We are hoping that when patients access services like methadone, they will also access other healthcare services available at clinics.”
Phumzile Ngondela welcomed the initiative, saying it addresses a long-standing gap in support services.
“Today’s programme has taught us that there is a gap when it comes to people using drugs, and we need to close that gap,” she said.
She added that civil society organisations would continue working to expand access to services and reduce stigma.
Thando Masango from the Kakarambha Foundation also welcomed the pilot, saying it offers hope to people struggling with addiction and encouraged community members to support the programme.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to shift responses to substance use from punitive approaches towards healthcare-based interventions, community education and long-term support.
Stakeholders say the programme could serve as a model for expanding harm reduction services in South Africa if successful.
