Chairperson, hon Minister, Deputy Minister and members, the pain and suffering of families with members suffering from substance abuse require a strong response from the state with effective intervention services to stand with our families and our communities in the fight against substance abuse. The Bill must be seen to make a difference in the processes towards changing the lives of those affected by substance abuse. The institutional preparedness in leading the service user to a point of recovery and individual governance is essential, and government ought to assist such centres to function the best they can.
The Bill puts the preservation of the family as central to supporting persons affected by substance abuse. We want to support this 100%. The FD has always valued the role of the family in building strong and functional societies.
The Bill highlights aspects like developing parental skills, creating awareness around substance abuse and empowering communities to be proactive. In preserving the family, we must also look at why families are not always able to play a reasonable role in protecting our nation's children.
Substance abuse can be contained if we have a comprehensive government plan, like the one our state has, involving all departments and other stakeholders such as churches and NGOs together to fight the entrance points which allow these addictive substances to permeate our society.
Families are powerless when it comes to tackling the violent culture involving such substances. The FD believes that to effectively contain substance abuse the sting of violence associated with addictive substances must be removed.
We support any aid that is made available to centres committed to helping those affected by substance abuse. The FD, therefore, supports this Bill. I thank you.