Abstract
Background: Substance use and misuse are among the most critical social and public health problems which persist in South Africa, particularly in townships like Kagiso. The success of substance use interventions relies on multi-sectoral engagement from organizations within Government, non-Government, health, and community sectors. Informed by the Ecological Systems Theory (EST), this study sought to interrogate the importance of stakeholders' collaboration in substance use intervention programs in Kagiso Township.
Method: A qualitative study was undertaken to gain an in-depth understanding of the collaboration of stakeholders in the substance use field. Purposeful and snowball sampling provided eight participants from institutions with a strong involvement in substance use interventions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to give participants the opportunity to speak freely about their views and experiences. Thematic analysis was done when analysing data guided by Braun and Clarke (2006)
Findings: The study findings revealed that most stakeholders felt collaboration is key in addressing the complexities faced by individuals with substance use. Most participants talked about the advantages of joint forums, shared referral systems and combined outreach activities that allowed them to coordinate more effectively and reach more people. However, problems remained: underfunding; inconsistent leadership; ineffective Local Drug Action Committees (LDACs); and low community involvement all frequently disrupted collective action. Despite these challenges, participants identified practices that were effective, including peer mentorship, family involvement, structured aftercare, harm-reduction activities, and prevention campaigns. These findings do align with what the NDMP aspired to, but they also demonstrate that there continue to be a gap between policy and action in the field, especially at local level.
Conclusion: The study concluded that stakeholder collaboration is not only vital but also necessary in addressing substance use in Kagiso Township. Improved coordination, the clarification of roles and a renewed commitment to bolster LDACs with political support from municipal structures could improve this. The findings contribute to our knowledge of how collaboration works in township settings and remind researchers of the value of well sustained and supported partnerships that resonate with the objective of the NDMP, to build an integrated multi sectoral response to substance use and misuse.