Young people who use drugs frequently encounter significant barriers to engaging with health programmes. A participatory programme with young people who use drugs, called Bridges of Hope, created a safe and supportive environment where young people could actively engage with health education and personal development. This poster, presented at the South African AIDS Conference 2025 by NACOSA’s Kalvanya Padayachee, shares learning from the programme with Peter Labouchere from Bridges of Hope.
I feel like I finally have some control over my health and my future.
NACOSA hosted the Amaqhawekazi Harm Reduction Summit 2026, from 26-27 August 2026, bringing together representatives of government departments, civil society organisations, community-led organisations, development partners, researchers, advocates, people who use
South Africa’s current drug policy framework is fragmented, with contradictions between legislation that criminalises personal drug use and policy commitments that recognise prevention, treatment, harm reductionand social reintegration as essential
A policy brief examining the legal and policy framework relating to under 18s who use drugs, including injecting drug use.
Policy brief on the community household health and social care assessment conducted by NACOSA and commissioned by the Western Cape Government.
