I welcome the unanimous decision taken by the delegates who attended the conference on alcohol and substance abuse that was held over two days at Goudini Spa. The conference was arranged by the sub- programme 'Farm Worker Development' of the Department of Agriculture (Western Cape) and was attended by 250 delegates from 17 organisations, as well as representatives from the Farm worker community in the Province. Some of the organisations that delivered papers at the conference were:

• Agri Wes Cape
• FASfacts
• Pebbles Project
• FARR
• Plaaswerker Koordinerings Raad
• Dept. of Economic Affairs
• Liquor Board
• Dept. of Health
• Woman on Farms
• AA
• BAWSI
• Dopstop and various Church organisations.

It was agreed that we could only succeed in our efforts to combat the abuse of alcohol and other addictive substances through a holistic process in stead of a fragmented approach, where many organisations are duplicating certain efforts, whilst there is little or even a total lack of attention in other areas.

We are concerned about the moral decay amongst our farm workers and we want to improve their quality of life with the assistance of all the role players that are impacting on their lives.

I welcome the announcement by Agri Wes Cape President Christoff Cloete that the Organised Agricultural Sector has the circumstances of farm workers very high on their agenda for their coming Provincial Congress later this year.

My Department will take the lead in the establishing of a forum that will co-ordinate all future efforts and programs to assist the Farm Worker Community in our fight against alcohol and substance abuse. We will meet with the Department of Social Development during the third term of this year in an effort to take our campaign to the next level.

Enquiries:

Alie van Jaarsveld
Spokesperson
Ministry of Agriculture: Western Cape
Tel: 021 483 4930
Fax: 021 483 3890
Cell: 084 604 6701
Email: avjaarsv@pgwc.gov.za