Students for Sensible Drug Policy International

24/10/2026

We’re excited to announce that Ngwoke Ifeanyi, M&E Officer, and Simileoluwa Liyele, Advocacy and Communications Officer, are representing YouthRISE Nigeria at the 16th Biennial International Conference on Drugs, Alcohol and Society in Africa (CRISA 2026).

They will join the panel session, “Whose Evidence Counts? Community Engagement and Knowledge Co-production in Substance Use Research in Africa,” to contribute to conversations on whose voices shape research, whose experiences count, and how communities can actively participate in producing evidence that informs policy and practice.

At YouthRISE Nigeria, we believe that people who use drugs and communities directly affected by substance use must be part of the conversations and decisions that shape their lives.

Evidence is stronger when it reflects lived experiences, respects human rights, and centres the voices of those most affected.

We look forward to meaningful conversations and collaboration towards more inclusive, evidence-informed, and people-centred approaches to substance use across Africa.

21/10/2026

Whose Evidence Counts? Amplifying Community Voices in African Research.

SSDP International is proud to support an important panel discussion at the 16th Biennial International Conference on Drugs, Alcohol and Society in Africa (CRISA 2026).

Under the theme: “Whose Evidence Counts? Community Engagement and Knowledge Co-production in Substance Use Research in Africa,” the discussion will explore the importance of meaningful community participation in research, recognising lived experiences and ensuring that the voices of those most affected help shape knowledge, policy and public health responses across Africa.

Moderator: Joshua Otei, SSDP, University of Calabar Chapter

Panellists:

Imo Uchenna – SSDP International

Ifeanyi Ngwoke – Youthrise Nigeria

Molly Ogbodum – SSDP International

Similéoluwa Liyele – Youthrise Nigeria

Thursday, 22 October 2026
9:00 AM WAT (West African Time) | 10 AM SAT (South African Time)
Join the discussion online via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82102408689?pwd=Dgo5DjfqALyDMzyv746H9zU7USB2re.1

Research is strengthened when communities are not simply subjects of study, but active contributors to the knowledge that shapes their lives.

16/10/2026

Young Voices. Meaningful Change. A Future Built Together.

Young people have an important role in shaping South Africa’s approach to drug policy, and their voices deserve to be heard.

At SSDP International, we believe meaningful drug policy reform begins with education, youth participation and evidence informed approaches rooted in public health, human rights and dignity.

Our participation in the Vusubuntu Coalition strengthens our commitment to advancing the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use, while promoting compassionate, inclusive and community centred responses.

In this contribution to The Voices Behind VUSUBUNTU campaign, SSDP International’s Executive Director, Charity Monareng, shares our organisation’s perspective on this important movement and the value of youth leadership and collaboration in shaping a better future.

Be part of the movement!

We encourage young people, organisations and communities to join the VUSUBUNTU Coalition.

Register here:
https://forms.gle/NzjHtkJZxbgjdjDU6

09/10/2026

Join the movement and add your voice to ***coControl.

Create your own support badge, add it to your profile picture and help make visible the call for stronger to***co control laws and better protection for young people.

It takes just a few steps: upload your photo, position it inside the campaign frame, download your badge and share it across your social media platforms.

Create your badge here:
https://youthforto***cocontrol.lovable.app

Stand with young people.

***coControl

02/10/2026

September at SSDP International.
Youth Advocacy, Policy Reform and Organisational Growth

September was a productive month for SSDP International, with work spanning youth advocacy, public education, organisational strengthening and drug policy reform. A major focus was the SSDP CIP Strategy Review Retreat, where we began shaping and strengthening our new Strategic Plan for 2028 – 2031. The retreat created space to review our current direction, reflect on lessons from recent years, assess chapter sustainability and organisational systems, and identify priorities that will guide SSDP International’s next phase of growth and impact.

Through our work with Y-ACT Youth In Action, September also included several youth led to***co control activities. We hosted a Youth Centred To***co Control Forum with Nomcebo Dlamini, exploring how to***co and alcohol industries appeal to young people and how advocacy can connect more effectively with public health and policy processes. This was followed by the “What’s Inside?” exhibition at Nwu Potchefstroom University, which used interactive activities and practical demonstrations to make information about to***co, ni****ne and va**ng products easier for young people to understand.

September also saw SSDP International’s Executive Director, Charity Monareng, contribute to wider public discussion following the release of the Global Commission on Drug Policy’s new policy brief, Making Children and Young People Visible in Drug Policy: A Child Rights Based Agenda for Reform. The brief calls for children and young people to be placed at the centre of drug policy, with greater emphasis on health, human rights, child protection and meaningful youth participation rather than punitive responses:
https://globalcommissionondrugs.org/global-commission-calls-for-rights-of-children-and-young-people-to-be-made-visible-in-drug-policy/

In response, Charity contributed to media coverage in Daily Maverick, AllAfrica and Sound of Africa, reinforcing the importance of youth friendly services, meaningful participation in policy development and approaches to substance use that reflect the realities young people face:

Read the Daily Maverick article
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-11-global-commission-urges-youth-focused-drug-policy-reform/
Read the AllAfrica article
https://allafrica.com/stories/202609140137.html
Read the Sound of Africa article
https://soundofafrica.rw/children-must-have-a-voice-in-drug-policy-as-parents-struggle-to-see-hidden-drug-use/

Tomorrow, we invite our community to join us for the Youth To***co Control Fun Run at Wits - University of the Witwatersrand. More than just a run, the event will create a space to engage young people on to***co and ni****ne related issues, share practical information and strengthen youth participation in to***co control advocacy.

Join us, bring a friend and be part of a healthier, to***co free future.






***coControl

23/09/2026

One run. One message. A healthier future.

Join SSDP International, Y-ACT and the Wits University School of Social Sciences for the Fun Run as we raise awareness about to***co control, va**ng and ni****ne harms while championing healthier communities and campuses.

03 October 2026
08:00 AM
Wits University Park Run

Register here: https://www.parkrun.co.za/register/

Run for health. Stand for to***co control.


***coControl

16/09/2026

Run for Health. Stand for To***co Control.

Join SSDP International, Y-ACT and the School of Social Sciences for the Fun Run as we champion healthier, to***co free communities and campuses.

This event is about more than running, it is a call to raise awareness about the harms of commercial to***co products, va**ng and ni****ne use, while empowering young people to lead the movement for a healthier future.

Date: 03 October 2026
Time: 08:00 AM
Venue: Wits University Park Run

Scan the QR code on the poster to register and be part of the movement: https://www.parkrun.co.za/register/

Run for health. Stand for to***co control.


***cocontrol

02/09/2026

August at SSDP International | Youth Voices, Public Health and Collective Action

August was a meaningful month for SSDP International as we continued strengthening youth led advocacy, public education, policy engagement and community centred dialogue.

During Women’s Month, we were encouraged by the important role women continue to play in shaping conversations on public health, to***co control, substance use, harm reduction and youth leadership.

This month, SSDP International welcomed the continued progress of the To***co Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill in Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, an encouraging step towards stronger and more responsive public health policy in South Africa.

We also supported youth led to***co control and anti va**ng advocacy through a campus based dialogue hosted by the SSDP South African Wits Chapter, creating space for young people to ask questions, share perspectives and better understand the realities of to***co use, va**ng and prevention.

SSDP International attended the Amaqhawekazi Harm Reduction Summit hosted by NACOSA, joining partners and community led organisations in discussions on harm reduction, advocacy, policy and service delivery. Our executive director Charity Monareng also spoke on the final day, sharing SSDP International’s perspective on evidence informed responses to drug use and promoting the VUSUBUNTU Coalition’s call for the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use.

As spring begins, the SSDP South African Chapter participated in a high school discussion on substance use at Sekano Ntoana Secondary School in Soweto. The engagement allowed us to connect with learners and contribute to honest conversations around substance use, prevention, support and informed decision making.

SSDP International remains committed to creating spaces where young people are informed, heard and equipped to lead positive change in their communities.

Join the VUSUBUNTU Coalition, register here:
https://forms.gle/NzjHtkJZxbgjdjDU6

28/08/2026

Is the to***co industry adapting faster than public health policy?

Join SSDP International for an important discussion on emerging ni****ne products, disposable vapes, ni****ne pouches, digital marketing tactics, and how to***co products, va**ng products and alcohol are positioned within the National Drug Master Plan and broader substance use conversations.

The session will be moderated by Charity Monareng from Students for Sensible Drug Policy International, with Nomcebo Dlamini from the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance as the guest speaker.

Date: 10 September 2026
Time: 18:00 – 19:30 SAST
Platform: Zoom

Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/Js33IlrFQSqQBH8CdnLiKw

Be part of the conversation as we unpack how public health policy can respond to the changing to***co and ni****ne landscape.


***cocontrol

16/07/2026

Join SSDP International tonight.

Youth-Centred To***co Control Forum.
The Myth of “Safer Alternatives”

16 July 2026
18:00
Zoom

Speaker: Dr Thomas van Huyssteen
Moderator: Thabang Seheri

Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/uIXsJBnYQDa5bt-r3leWwA⁠


***coControl

The Myth of "Safer Alternatives"

Are va**ng products really safer, or are young people being sold a carefully crafted narrative? From influencer marketing and colourful flavours to industry funded research and social media campaigns, to***co and ni****ne companies continue to find new ways to appeal to the next generation.

Join Students for Sensible Drug Policy International for the first session of our Youth Centred To***co Control Forum Series, where we unpack the evidence behind the claims and explore how industry messaging shapes youth perceptions.

Speaker: Dr Thomas van Huyssteen
To***co Control Data Initiative South Africa

Moderator: Thabang Seheri
National Youth Development Agency

16 July 2026
18:00 (SAST)
Online via Zoom : https://zoom.us/meeting/register/uIXsJBnYQDa5bt-r3leWwA

Whether you're a young leader, student, health advocate, educator, researcher or simply interested in to***co control, this discussion will provide evidence based insights into one of the most important public health conversations affecting young people today.

Register by scanning the QR code on the poster and be part of the conversation.

Evidence. Awareness. Action.


***cocontrol