On 9 July 2026, the Khanya Community Health Project held a Health Study Group at PUSH drop-in centre in Eldorado Park with 19 participants, most of whom were young women. The group read and discussed the article, Here’s How to Make Drug Addiction a Health Issue, Not a Criminal One By Tanya Pampalone, Anna-Maria van Niekerk, Jessica Pitchford and Mia Malan.

Our discussion focused on why drug addiction should be understood as a health issue, the causes of drug addiction, who carries the burden of drug abuse in homes and communities, and how communities can organise to fight drug addiction.

Participants agreed that drug addiction is a health issue. People who use drugs are often struggling with mental health problems, past trauma, unemployment, and hopelessness. Participants also said that anyone can become addicted. Communities, families, and the police therefore need to treat drug addiction like any other illness, rather than judging or criminalising people.

Participants also said that, in their communities, the burden often falls on women and young people. Women carry the responsibility of raising children alone, often without outside support or employment. Young people are targeted by drug dealers because they need money to help support their families or because of peer pressure to fit in with their friends.

Another issue raised was the easy access to drugs in communities. Because there is a lack of solidarity, community members do not stand up against known drug dealers. This makes it easier for them to target vulnerable young people and even underage children.

It was also highlighted that people go to rehabilitation centres but, because they return to the same environment, they often begin using drugs again. For this reason, the participants encourage the need for communities to organise by starting community gardens, joining study groups, and having sports tournament to take young people away from streets, learn about health and social issues, and building solidarity unity in the community.