Interviews of candidates to serve on Central Drug Authority Board: day 1

Meeting report

The following questions were asked to the short-listed candidates:

·Candidates were asked to give a brief description on their professional background and how their attributes/role of expertise would contribute positively to the Central Drug Authority (CDA) board

·They were asked why they had an interest in the study of substance abuse

· Candidates were asked what measures they would take to make the CDA more accountable.

·They were also asked what they understood about the impact of substance abuse in the community and family life, and how they aimed to bring about positive changes if appointed on the CDA board

· They were asked to explain what the applicable legislation on the elimination of substance abuse sought to achieve

·Candidate were also asked about their knowledge of the new self-concocted drugs coming into the South African market and what changes could they implement to control drug trafficking.

·They were also asked about their knowledge of the National Drug Master Plan and what it seeks to achieve.

·They were also asked on how they would ensure that the CDA had more “teeth” and became relevant in society, as there were criticisms that the CDA was too weak.

·Candidates were asked to list and explain the powers and the functions of the CDA according to the Prevention and Treatment of Substance Dependency Act.

·Candidates that held religious positions were asked what the role of churches could be in limiting substance abuse in society.

·They were also asked about the role of the media in promoting substance abuse and what the CDA could do to make changes

·Candidates were asked about the history of the CDA, particularly why it was established

·They were also asked on their views on harm reduction.

·They were also asked on the topic of decriminalising cannabis, if this would help in preventing substance abuse.

·Candidates currently on the CDA board were asked what the CDA had achieved so far, and what could be done to improve its role, especially with criticisms that the CDA has no teeth and fails to submit reports on time

·Candidates that worked in hospitals or specialised in psychiatric wards were also asked about the issue of after-care for victims of drug abuse, how this process was managed and what could be done differently to enforce after-care if appointed on the CDA board

·They were also asked what steps could be taken to speed up the process of drug testing in patients.

·A candidate was asked if he had ever taken drugs.

·A candidate was asked if there was a solution to Heroine addiction.

·Candidates were asked if there were any questions they wanted to pose to the Committee.

Closing remarks
The Chairperson mentioned to Members that on Thursdays candidates would be flying in from abroad, therefore the timetable scheduled would have to changed, so the interviews could finish earlier.

Please refer to audio recording for responses