07/07/2026
As a supporter of the Vusubuntu Coalition for the Decriminalisation of Drugs for Personal Use in South Africa, the Elton John AIDS Foundation is proud to stand alongside our partner organizations in South Africa leading this movement.
Criminalization drives people away from health services, increasing vulnerability to HIV. The Coalition advocates for:
• An end to the criminalization of people who use drugs
• Policies rooted in health, human rights and evidence
• Greater access to healthcare and social support
• An end to stigma and discrimination
“People who use drugs are our sons and daughters, parents, partners, friends, and neighbors," says Charne Roberts, National Advocacy Officer for the South African Network of People Who Use Drugs. "They deserve care, compassion, and the chance to live healthy and meaningful lives. The Coalition brings people together to create safer and more inclusive communities.”