On December 1, 2024, the Sanlam Auditorium at the University of Pretoria came alive with transformative discussions as the First African Regional Conference on Law Enforcement and Public Health (ALEPH2024) began. In the welcome remarks by the Professor Lekan Ayo-Yusuf as the Programme Director and Chair of the Conference Organising Committee, he indicated that this landmark event brought together policymakers, academics, law enforcement officials, public health practitioners, and community activists from across the continent and beyond to explore the critical intersections between law enforcement and public health.

Hosted by the School of Health Systems and Public Health at the Faculty of Health Sciences, the conference underscored the importance of transdisciplinary research and inter-sectoral approaches to tackling complex social, humanitarian, security, and public health challenges.

The event began with an opening address by Professor Tiaan de Jager, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, who welcomed attendees to a conference poised to redefine collaboration between law enforcement and public health. The opening plenary featured three influential speakers—Jane Marie Ogola Ongolo, UNODC Regional Representative for Southern Africa; Jeanette Hunter, Deputy Director-General for Primary Health Care; and former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe—who collectively set the tone for transformative dialogue and action.

A Call for Compassion and Shared Responsibility

Jane Marie Ogola Ongolo opened the plenary with a stirring call for empathy, collaboration, and human-rights-centered approaches to substance use and public health.

“Compassion, a human rights approach, and shared responsibility call upon all of us—academia, civil society, law enforcement, and public health—to work together,” Ogola Ongolo declared.

Describing substance use as a public health issue, she emphasised the need for balanced responses grounded in understanding and support. “Historically, responses to drug use have centered on criminal justice approaches, often exacerbating marginalisation, stigmatisation, and barriers to health,” she noted.

Ogola Ongolo highlighted the importance of harm reduction strategies, including needle-syringe programmes, opioid agonist therapy, supervised consumption rooms, and decriminalization. “When applied properly, these initiatives not only save lives but also reduce social and economic costs, prevent the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and AIDS, and lessen the burden on justice systems,” she explained.

Acknowledging the vital role of law enforcement in combating illicit substance trade, Ogola Ongolo stressed that these efforts must align with public health objectives. “Collaboration between law enforcement, health authorities, civil society, and communities is essential to create synergies that lead to better outcomes for all,” she stated.

She concluded her address with an optimistic outlook: “The intersection of law enforcement and public health is not a divide—it is a vital space for collaboration. Our goal must not only be to reduce crime but to save lives and promote the health and dignity of all individuals affected by drug use.”

Bridging Health and Law Enforcement for Safer Communities

Jeanette Hunter followed with an address titled Bridging Health and Law Enforcement for Healthier Communities in South Africa. She framed the collaboration as a constitutional imperative, referencing Section 41 of the South African Constitution, which mandates government departments to work together to secure the well-being of citizens.

“We in our services want to serve individuals, families, and communities to develop healthy communities within the Republic of South Africa,” she said.

Hunter shared real-world examples of how the health sector relies on law enforcement, including instances of armed individuals threatening safety in health facilities. “The health sector’s expenditure on security services is one of the highest, but the duties of security officers are not intended to respond to armed threats. For this, we need the police,” she emphasised.

She outlined areas of collaboration between health and law enforcement, such as mental health, forensic services, child justice, and poison control. Hunter stressed the importance of data sharing, policy co-development, and joint education initiatives to strengthen partnerships.

“Communities must be educated to understand why policies protecting their health and well-being are being implemented,” she stated. “If communities are educated, the need for enforcement is reduced.”

Hunter praised the University of Pretoria for initiating this critical dialogue, adding, “As the National Department of Health, we are ready to learn from and act on the recommendations from this conference.”

A Call for African-Led Reform

Former President Kgalema Motlanthe delivered a keynote address that critiqued outdated drug policies and called for evidence-based, African-driven solutions.

“This is a pivotal moment,” he said. “The voices of those most impacted by law enforcement and public health policies across Africa are urgently calling for meaningful reform. We must replace harmful practices with approaches that prioritise developmental dignity and shared value.”

Motlanthe highlighted the harm caused by prohibitionist policies, describing them as ineffective, costly, and damaging to vulnerable populations. “The goal of a drug-free world was a delusion,” he stated. “Criminalisation has escalated violence, undermined institutions, and failed to address the root causes of addiction.”

Outlining five pathways for reform championed by the Global Commission on Drug Policy, he emphasised the need to prioritize health and safety, ensure access to essential medicines, decriminalise drug use, target organised crime, and regulate drug markets to restore government control.

“Africa must lead the charge in dismantling outdated frameworks that do not serve our people,” he said.

Motlanthe also addressed the potential for cannabis and hemp reforms to transform African economies but cautioned against systemic inequities. “Trade terms must reflect the realities of African cultivators, not just the interests of global powers,” he urged.

He concluded with a call for leadership and collaboration: “We have lost the war on drugs. It is now time for reparation, reflection, and revision. Drug policy reforms will not be imposed on us; they must emerge from our own contexts and realities.”

The First African Regional Conference on Law Enforcement and Public Health is more than an event—it is a rallying point for a new vision of safety and well-being in Africa. As discussions continue, the ideas shared in the opening plenary will undoubtedly shape the future of public health and law enforcement collaboration across the continent.

“This conference is a vital step toward fostering healthier, more inclusive societies,” Ogola Ongolo remarked.

Motlanthe added, “The work we begin here will pave the way for transformative partnerships that advance safety, equity, and well-being across Africa.”

The Programme Director ended the session reminding the delegates of the need to work together as a network to turn dialogue into action for the safety and wellbeing of the continent.