Interviews of Shortlisted Candidates to serve on Central Drug Authority Board: day 3

Meeting report

The Chairperson started by explaining the purpose of the interviews and then proceeded to introduce herself and prompted the rest of the Committee to follow suit.

Interviews of Candidates for the Board of the Central Drug Authority
The following questions were asked to the short-listed candidates:

●They were asked about themselves and what would they bring to the CDA if they were appointed to serve on the CDA Board. They were asked to be specific about the “wealth” they would bring to the Board.

●Candidates were asked explain in detail their expertise and which communities had benefited from their work in their respective fields.

●They were asked to explain the National Drug Master Plan, and how it related to the work of Board Members.

●Candidates were asked how they would reconcile the work they were doing for their organisations to the hectic work schedule of the CDA Board.

●The Central Drug Authority was regarded as a “toothless dog” in some circles; candidates were then asked how they would ensure that the CDA had more “bite than its bark”.

●They were asked how they would ensure data integrity and quality in their regard as advisers to the Ministers.

●The shortlisted candidates were asked about their knowledge of the Drug Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act 1992 [No 20 of 1992] , and what were its objectives were.

●Candidates were asked to list any changes they would make to the National Drug Master Plan if they were appointed to the CDA Board.

●They were asked about their grassroots involvement regarding the fight against substance abuse.

●Candidates were asked whether they could see the impact of their work on the ground. If they were challenges what role could be played by the CDA in addressing those changes?

●It was common knowledge that most Government Departments were not complying with regulations in terms of submitting reports. Candidates were then asked how they would remedy that situation when appointed.

●Candidates were asked about the strategies they would use to ensure that the information submitted to the Minister was authentic.

●They were asked about how they would ensure that they did not abuse their positions in the CDA Board for their own personal benefits or abuse their positions. They were also asked to elaborate on key policy issues guiding the CDA.

●Members enquired about the accountability measures in place for the CDA Board.

●Candidates were asked about the parts of legislation that governed the functions of the CDA that needed to be amended or improved.

●They were asked to explain how they would respond to the National Drug Master Plan as CDA Board Members.

●Candidates were asked to elaborate on some of the issues affecting Communities regarding substance abuse.

●Members wanted to know which sections of society were directly affected by substance abuse, what strategies would they implement to remedy the problem.

●Candidates were asked to mention the names of the newer drugs that were plaguing the communities.

●Members asked some of the candidates that were working within the communities to demonstrate the link between the CDA work and the academic background.

●Most interviewees were working at a provincial level, and then they were asked how they would be able to work with all the provinces.

The meeting was adjourned.