From City Streets to Continental Calls, Communities of People Who Use Drugs Stay Connected and Active

Communities of people who use drugs do more than keep each other connected; they give people a voice in their own lives and a role in keeping one another safe and informed. This could be seen from city streets in South Africa to virtual rooms shared with women who use drugs across the continent, shaping a period of steady contact, shared learning and a widening sense of solidarity.

​The Medical Linkage Officer in Gauteng spent time walking through the city centre, visiting Mahala Flats, Mandela Drive, Marabastad Taxi Rank, Bosman Station, Burgers Park and Gezina Park. These outreach visits helped the team understand how people were coping after the festive season, as heavy rains had damaged some shelters and a few people had not yet returned from travelling. Even so, many spoke about their continued access to harm reduction services and the relief of not facing police harassment or confiscation of their supplies. These check ins matter because they help people feel seen and remind them that support is close, while also confirming who is present, who is reachable and what conditions people are facing. This is network verification done on foot, grounded in real conversations and lived experience.

​SANPUD staff in other provinces continued their own forms of verification. In KwaZulu Natal, the Provincial Coordinator confirmed the status of networks and updated their details through phone calls, emails and WhatsApp engagements. In the Western Cape, the Community Linkage Officer reached out to individuals and groups to check whether their contact information remained accurate. Several networks confirmed that they were still active while others needed follow up. This is the online and remote side of network verification, the steady work that keeps formal networks updated and ensures that community members remain reachable. These small acts of verification may seem simple, yet they form the quiet structure that allows people to stay informed and included.

Active communities grow, adapt and keep people informed and safe.”

​PWUD leaders continued to hold the national and provincial calls that keep conversations active where people who use drugs' voices are needed. These calls help ensure that the lived experience of people who use drugs is present in discussions that shape policy and practice, and the commitment of PWUD leaders to showing up, sharing updates and raising concerns keeps the sector connected and ready to participate.

SANPUD team members attended a virtual enagement named Women Who Use Drugs In Africa facilitated By Rita Gatonya from the Women In Response To HIV and Aids and Drug Addiction. The meeting brought together participants to share experiences and discuss the availability of services. They agreed to continue meeting and to build regional collaboration through monthly calls and joint initiatives. This is another form of safety — the safety that comes from knowing that others across the continent are working toward the same goals and facing similar challenges.

 Use​Networks remain central to SANPUD’s work, and their ability to stay reachable is what keeps communities connected and active. Networks can keep themselves connected by responding to communication from head office and updating their contact details when needed, ensuring that support, information and participation continue without interruption.
Use this link to keep your details up to date 
​