South Africa needs a national policy framework to support Needle and Syringe Programmes (NSPs) as part of its response to HIV, hepatitis C and other blood-borne infections among people who inject drugs. NSPs are evidence-based harm reduction interventions that help prevent the transmission of infections, improve access to healthcare and connect people to essential health and social services. However, legal and policy barriers, stigma, limited resources and gaps in service provision continue to constrain their implementation.
This policy brief examines the evidence, implementation challenges and outcomes of NSPs in South Africa. It sets out practical recommendations for a national needle and syringe policy that supports harm reduction, protects the health and rights of people who use drugs, and provides a coordinated, sustainable public health response.
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.
