On March 3, 2025, a vital exchange took place in Cape Town between representatives from the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) Technical Support Unit (TSU) and the Global Fund at the SANPUD offices. The true essence of this collaboration lies in the need for meaningful engagement between funders and beneficiaries, as it ultimately shapes how they navigate their shared mission to improve the lives of people who use drugs (PWUD).

February 2025 SANPUD successfully delivered an intensive and highly productive Interpol training at Wits University Medical Campus, marking a significant milestone in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and drug trafficking. This initiative did more than just educate law enforcement officials; it forged bonds between academia, health professionals, and justice stakeholders. The collaborative nature of the training underscored the critical importance of interdisciplinary approaches in tackling complex issues like GBV and trafficking.

​At the beginning of February SANPUD and its partners held Open Clinics in Gauteng and the Western Cape where approximately 300 people who use drugs accessed healthcare services in a supportive and welcoming environment. 

​Empilisweni Clinic proudly announces its inaugural PWUD Clinic Open Day on Thursday, 6 February 2025. This event marks a pivotal achievement stemming from extensive community led monitoring discussions facilitated by the South African Network of People who Use Drugs (SANPUD) 

​The initiative aims to bridge the gap between healthcare services and the local community of people who use drugs (PWUD) in the Sedibeng District Zone 7.

​On Wednesday, 05 February 2025, an important event will take place at the Chapel Street Clinic in Woodstock, Cape Town. 

​This initiative, organised by community organisations, aims to promote the integration of healthcare and social services at local level to increase coverage of people from marginalised populations. The Department of Health, SANPUD, TBHIVCare, and others are coming together to make this a reality.

​A strong grassroots-led People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) sector is essential for advocacy and harm reduction. This article highlights strategic initiatives and collaborative efforts aimed at empowering PWUD communities across multiple provinces.

In advance of the Global Fund 52nd Board Meeting, Harm Reduction International (HRI),  The South African Network of People who use drugs (SANPUD), Rumah Cemara (the national NGO working on harm reduction in Indonesia), Regional Network of Asian People Who Use Drugs (NAPUD) The Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA) and Middle East and North Africa Harm Reduction Association (MENAHRA) are writing to share with the community of people who use drugs key harm reduction messages. 

​Informed decision-makers are essential for creating effective drug policies. Understanding harm reduction is key to this process. It empowers policymakers to develop strategies that protect public health and address the needs of people who use drugs (PWUD).
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Educating these leaders about various harm reduction approaches allows them to make evidence-based decisions that promote the well-being of PWUD. This, in turn, fosters safer communities and reduces the negative consequences associated with drug use, such as overdose and the spread of infectious diseases. Ultimately, well-informed policymakers can facilitate a supportive environment that prioritizes health over punishment, leading to better outcomes for individuals and society as a whole.

In a recent initiative led by SANPUD (South African Network of People Who Use Drugs), a series of art workshops and site visits were conducted to engage with marginalised communities, specifically people who use drugs. These activities aimed to empower individuals by harnessing their creative skills and addressing critical needs within their communities.
They form part of a visionary CDC project that aims to assist people who use drugs who are part of the TBHIV Care CDC-funded HarmLess Project. The project is situated in Ehlangzeni and Tshwane at the HarmLess drop-in centres.

In this first visit, SANPUD leadership did site visits with the Make Art Not War consultant, Andrea Schneider. The team identified the very real challenges these communities face in surviving every day, and economic opportunity is lacking, but the talent is not. Here is what happened during the visit.