New research has found widespread and problematic heroin use in South Africa’s small towns, big cities and even its rural areas. The rapid growth of the heroin market can be traced to organised crime networks, local gangs and incompetent or corrupt police. Poor drug policy and neglect of marginalised communities make the problem worse. The thriving local industry may be worth billions of rands annually, but has gone largely undetected.
This seminar launches the latest ENACT study into Africa’s heroin economy. The problem in South Africa is a spinoff from a growing international drug smuggling route down the East Coast of Africa, for shipment to international markets. The event will look at criminal justice responses and the high cost of poor drug policy in South Africa.
Chairperson: Martin Ewi, Technical Coordinator, ENACT, ISS
Speakers:
- Simone Haysom, Senior Analyst, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime and author of the new report on SA’s heroin problem
- Shaun Shelly, founder of SA Drug Policy Week and Policy, Advocacy and Human Rights Manager at TB HIV Care
- Representative of the South African Police Service (TBC)
Enquiries: Martin Ewi – [email protected]
Photo © eyeni.bz
ENACT is funded by the European Union (EU), and implemented by the ISS, INTERPOL and Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime. Speakers appear in their personal capacity and cannot be seen to represent or reflect the position of the EU.
