Acts Online
GT Shield

Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, 2008 (Act No. 70 of 2008)

Chapter 3 : Strategies and Principles for Demand and Harm Reduction

4. Guiding principles for provision of services

 

All services rendered to service users and to persons affected by substance abuse must be provided in an environment that—

(a) recognises the educational, social, cultural, economic and physical needs of such persons;
(b) ensures and promotes access to information regarding the prevention of substance abuse;
(c) promotes the prevention of exploitation of such persons;
(d) promotes the respect for the person, human dignity and privacy of service users and persons affected by substance abuse;
(e) prevents stigmatisation of service users;
(f) promotes the participation of service users and persons affected by substance abuse in decision making processes regarding their needs and requirements;
(g) recognises the special needs of people with disabilities;
(h) ensures that services are available and accessible to all service users, including women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities without any preference or discrimination;
(i) ensures that service users are accepted as human beings in need of help and with the potential to change;
(j) coordinates the educational needs of children with the relevant education department;
(k) strives to render effective, efficient, relevant, prompt and sustainable services;
(l) respects the confidentiality of the information relating to the treatment and rehabilitation of service users and persons affected by substance abuse;
(m) respects the right of service users and persons affected by substance abuse to give written consent to participate in any research related to their treatment and rehabilitation; and
(n) ensures that services are appropriate to the ages of children and youth.