Editorial
Moving beyond access: Towards a quality-orientated substance abuse treatment system in South Africa
Bronwyn Myers, Zaino Petersen, Rehana Kader, Charles D H Parry
Abstract
There is growing concern about the increased demand for and limited access to substance abuse treatment in South Africa. The government has responded by allocating more money to the delivery of substance abuse treatment, expanding the number of state-funded treatment slots, and training additional health and social workers to deliver these services, particularly in provinces where the prevalence of substance-related problems is high, such as the Western Cape. While these efforts should be commended and continued, steps to improve service availability have occurred without adequate consideration of the quality of services provided. This is not surprising, as there is little or no routine monitoring and evaluation of substance abuse services in the country. It is also disquieting, as access to treatment is necessary but not sufficient for positive treatment outcomes.
Authors' affiliations
Bronwyn Myers, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, and Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town
Zaino Petersen, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council
Rehana Kader, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council
Charles D H Parry, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, and Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Western Cape
Keywords
service quality; substance abuse treatment; health services
Cite this article
South African Medical Journal 2012;102(8):667-668.
Article History
Date submitted: 2012-05-14
Date published: 2012-06-28
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