The North West legislature will hold public hearings on two Bills for the prevention and treatment of substance abuse later this month.
In a statement on Wednesday, the legislature said the North West provincial portfolio committee on health and social development will be conducting public hearings across the province from August 18 to 21.
The Tobacco Products Amendment Bill is aimed at amending the Tobacco Products Control Act of 1993, regarding advertising, sponsorship, promotion, packaging and tobacco product manufacturing standards, among others.
Also to be discussed is the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Bill, which aims to provide a comprehensive national response for the combating of substance abuse.
It is also meant to boost demand and harm reduction in relation to substance abuse through programmes of prevention, early intervention, treatment and reintegration.
This would involve committing people to treatment centres and providing rehabilitation and skills development in such centres.
The substance-abuse Bill also provides for the establishment of a central drug authority.
The workshops are expected to start at the Traditional Council Hall in Ganyesa in the Dr Ruth Mompati district on August 18 and then move to the Boikhutsong Hall in Lichtenburg on August 19 and to the Ga-Matlabe Hall in Potchefstroom on August 20.
The final workshop will be held at the Meriting Hall in Rustenburg on August 21.
All hearings will start at 9am. — Sapa