26/07/2025
SADAT
ASSOCIATION OF STUDENTS AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND TRAFFICKING.
"DRUG USE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT"
Founded 1998 Reg. No. NUB 145/2000, Tax No. 24/2138/3
Embassy House, Msakato, Street, Mbabane.
P.O. BOX 6484, Mbabane H100, Eswatini
Tel: +268 2404 1077, Cell: +268 7611 5858, E-mail: sadatsz@yahoo.com
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PROFILE
1- Background and History
SADAT is a students’ organization based in schools. It was founded in 1998 as a response to rampant use of drugs in schools. Students from St. Mark’s High School (Mbabane), Evelyn Baring High School (Nhlangano), and Mhlume High School (Mhlume), met at Mhlume High School in July 1998 under the guidance of Rev. Peter Ssemwogerere Mugalu and resolved to form a national students’ organization to prevent drug abuse in schools. The organization reserved its name as an Association in 2000 under Government Registration number NUB/145/2000 (Tax No. 24/2138/3). It provides counselling, advice, information, research, training, motivational talks, mobilization, awareness creation, emergency intervention, and crisis management. We have been working in Eswatini school system and in communities since 1998.
SADAT started with 3 high schools; St. Mark’s, Evelyn Baring and Mhlume. To date we have worked in 117 schools across the country. The first President was Ms. Gabsile Methule a student of St. Mark’s High School. Mrs. Thuli Dladla was the first Patron from 1999 to 2005. In 2005 we got the current patron, Her Royal Highness Inkhosikati LaNtentesa. We have a 7 member Board of Trustees.
In 1998-99 we were based at St. Mark’s High School. From 1999-2001 we worked from the Coordinator’s house. From 2001 to 2003 we had an office at the World Health Organization Eswatini country office. In 2003 we rented an office in Mbabane. In the same year St. Mary’s High School offered us an office we used until August 2020 when we moved to Sandla in Mbabane. From Sandla we worked from Msakato Street in Mbabane. We now have an office at Sisema Conference and Accommodation on Sandlane Street in Manzini.
SADAT is an approved Training Partner of the Colombo Drug Advisory Programme (DAP). In Eswatini, SADAT is a member of the National Coordinating Mechanism for To***co Control (NCM), and the Adolescent Technical Working Group (TWG). Both these bodies are in the Ministry of Health.
SADAT’s Coordinator is an International Certified Addiction Professional (ICAP-I Treatment), and a Professional member of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP). He runs a private counselling office in Manzini, Eswatini.
2- Mission Statement
SADAT mission statement is; “Acquiring correct information about drug abuse and trafficking, human trafficking, and HIV/AIDS, and applying it to ourselves, our peers and parents, for the primary prevention of drug abuse, the prevention of crime, and the reduction of HIV/AIDS infection and aggravation especially among students”.
HIV/AIDS was added in 2000 after realizing that by preventing drug use we were contributing to the prevention of HIV/AIDS, to allocate resources to HIV/AIDS activities, and to keep our members aware of the relationship between drug use and HIV/AIDS. We shall amend the Mission statement to include recent developments where SADAT is involved in mobilizing and distributing relief food to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SADAT has a constitution, code of conduct, and principles. In the code of conduct members agree to; 1- make their studies a priority; 2- show respect to their leadership and other members; 3- Maintain and promote the good reputation of the Association, and; 4- Work for the attainment of the objectives of the Association. The principles are; Respect, Dedication, Responsibility, Non-antagonism, and Constructive- silence.
3- Membership
Membership is voluntary. Ordinary membership is open to all learners from Grade 1 to Form 5. Branch membership is open to schools that may apply for it. Honorary membership is awarded to adults working with SADAT and to members of the public that meet conditions set for it.
4- Administration
Patron: Her Royal Highness Inkhosikati LaNtentesa
Coordinator: Rev. Fr. Peter Ssemwogerere Mugalu
Chairperson Board of Trustees: Mr. Johannes Malindzisa
Programme Officer: Ms. Babhekile Mngometulu
Programme Officer: Mrs. Imelda Hlophe
Project Officer: Mr. Phumlani Matsebula
Chairperson of the Delegates’ Assembly: Vacant
President: Mr. Lwandle Shiba
The President and other 6 members of National Executive Committee composed of High School students are elected every two years.
Branches are led by SADAT Representatives with a committee of 6 other learners. They are supervised by a Branch Coordinator.
5- Method of work and services
SADAT brings together young people with a common purpose to prevent drug use and its related ills, such as HIV/AIDS and crime. It employs a participatory approach where the key role is organizing learners into branches/clubs, and mobilizing services with and for them. We work with government ministries and departments, UN agencies, other professional organizations and individuals to provide to learners and the public, training, counselling, advice, information, research, motivational and inspirational talks, mobilization, assistance in emergency situations, and intervention in crises.
Learners play an active role in planning and implementing activities. Our expertise is within and outside SADAT. We maximize our resources by tapping into existing technical expertise in government and other organizations. We have good working relationships with government, schools, non-governmental organizations, local and international organizations, the media and the public.
There are 3 specialized teams; the Peer Educators team composed of learners empowered to deal with issues of drug abuse, HIV, and crime in their schools and to work with adults; the Trainers’ Team composed of teachers, employees and volunteers working on projects that require intensive training and time, and; the Field Team composed of learners that attend invitations, talk at schools and manage stands at public events. Our visibility and effectiveness depends on availability of funds.
The Patron attends all SADAT public events in person or by official representation.
6- Target population and geographic locations.
Our primary target population is all learners in the country. Secondary targets are parents, teachers and the general public. We work in any school and community in the country.
7- Aims of SADAT
1. To practice and enforce abstinence from substance abuse.
2. To acquire knowledge about substance abuse.
3. To get training on peer education and counselling.
4. To educate students about the dangers of substance abuse.
5. To promote responsible behaviour among students
6. To form and support substance-abuse free schools through establishing SADAT branches.
7. To seek the assistance of adults in achieving the above objectives.
We shall update these aims to make human trafficking, HIV and AIDS, crisis management and emergency intervention visible.
8- Key programs and activities.
Programs are designed to provide the following services of SADAT; counselling, advice, information, research, training, motivational talks, and mobilization for awareness creation about drug use and HIV/AIDS, Crisis management, and Emergency intervention.
All activities are for achieving the objectives outlined in the Mission Statement, and are guided by SADAT Constitution, Code of Conduct, and Principles.
a- Activities for learners and schools.
i- Establishing and managing branches (clubs) at schools or communities.
ii- Providing counseling, advice, information, and training.
iii- Organizing seminars and workshops
iv- Facilitating discussions at group or class levels.
v- Hosting Question and Answer sessions.
vi- Participating in discussion fora on social media and e-mail.
vii- Giving motivational and inspirational talks.
viii- Performing music, and drama.
ix- Hosting talk shows, debates, discussions and sports at schools and other authorized places.
x- Writing articles for newspapers and notice boards in schools and other authorized places.
xi- Organizing public awareness campaigns especially on internationally commemorated days.
xii- Participating in and encouraging sports.
xiii- Joining or supporting other clubs.
xiv- Participating in charity activities.
xv- Providing support in times of emergencies.
xvi- Providing support in times of crises.
b- Activities for parents
i. Providing individual and family counselling.
ii. Providing talks and training on drug use, parenting and related issues.
iii. Hosting of question and answer sessions.
iv. Participating in discussion fora on social media and e-mail.
v. Giving motivational and inspirational talks.
vi- Providing support in times of crisis.
vii- Providing support in times of emergencies.
c- Activities that support government programmes.
i. Visiting schools to promote programmes that government or international organizations
assign to us.
ii. Organizing commemoration of international days either at national or association levels (International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, World no-to***co day, and World AIDS day).
iii. Participating in formulation of government policies and legislation on alcohol, to***co and related issues.
iv. Carrying out research on drug use and providing information to students in tertiary institutions and other researchers.
v. Organizing workshops, seminars, and public talks in communities.
vi. Participating in government meetings, workshops and other activities at the invitation of government.
vii- Providing support in times of emergencies.
viii- Providing support in times of crises.
9- Some achievements
1- We have implemented many projects. Some of them were funded by SADAT itself. Here are some internationally funded projects;
i. Peer education and interventions for students at risk, 2004. SADC Drug Control
Programme.
ii. Services and interventions for students at risk, 2004, UNODC.
iii. A situation analysis in 20 schools in Lubombo Region on substance abuse and HIV/AIDS,
2005. National Emergency Council on HIV and AIDS (NERCHA).
iv. Addressing the relationship between drug abuse and HIV in schools, 2005. NERCHA.
v. Promotion of PMTCT through schools, 2009. WHO and Ministry of Health.
vi. Initiating sustainable interventions for drug abuse prevention in 20 high schools in
Swaziland, 2011. UNODC/DAPC.
vii. Ten Swaziland model schools, 2012. UNODC/DAPC.
viii. The parental role initiative, 2013. UNODC/DAPC.
ix. Drug abuse and HIV in schools, 2019. Aids Healthcare Fund (AHF).
x. Project C19 Intervention, 2020. Aids Healthcare Fund (AHF). We distributed food parcels,
soap and facemasks. Food reached 210 homesteads with approximately 1,370 people.
xi. Project C19 Intervention 2, 2021. Aids Healthcare Fund (AHF). We distributed food parcels,
soap and sanitizers. Food reached 200 homesteads with over 1,300 people.
xii- Project C19 Intervention 3, 2021. Aids Healthcare Fund (AHF). We distributed food parcels,
soap and sanitizers. Food reached 150 homesteads with approximately 958 people.
xiii- Commemoration of the World No-To***co Day, 2021. WHO.
xiv- Project C19 Intervention 4”, 2022. Aids Healthcare Fund (AHF). We distributed food parcels
soap and sanitizers. Food reached 250 homesteads with approximately 1,770 people.
xv- SADAT leadership conference on To***co. February, 2022. WHO.
xvi- Training of SADAT Field Team on To***co control, prevention and treatment of smoking.
December, 2022. WHO.
2- Received a trophy in appreciation of our work in schools from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on 31 May 2007.
3- Conducted a situation analysis in 20 schools in Lubombo Region on substance abuse and HIV/AIDS (May 2005), funded by the National Emergency Response Committee on HIV and AIDS.
4- Participated in international fora on drug use in Eswatini, Austria, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe.
5- Part of the team of stakeholders that worked with the Ministry of Health in the production of a To***co Control Policy, the To***co Control Act and regulations for Eswatini (2002-2014) and the team of stakeholders that worked with the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Justice to prepare the Liquor Bill.
6- Organized commemorations at national level of the Mental Health Day (1998), the World No-To***co Day (2001-2016 and 2021), and the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (2001, 2002, and 2015).
7- Organized workshops and seminars for learners, teachers and parents (1998-2022), funded by the Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF and UNAIDS.
8- Organized a conference on to***co for SADAT leaders (February 2022) funded by WHO.
9- Organized the training of SADAT Field Team on To***co control, prevention and treatment of smoking (December 2022 and December 2023) funded by WHO.
10- Held training workshops about the science of addiction and to***co control for all school principals of high schools and of 24 primary schools in Lubombo Region in 2023. The project was sponsored by WHO.
11- Held training workshops about the science of addiction and to***co control for crime prevention police officers in the country in 2023. The project was sponsored by WHO.
12- We are members of the Ministry of Health Technical Working Group (TWG) on adolescent health.
13- We are members of the Ministry of Health National Coordination Mechanism (NCM) on To***co Control in Eswatini.
14- We are a Training Partner of the Colombo Drug Advisory Programme (DAP).
10- Programme objectives
1. Reducing the use of hazardous and harmful substance by young people.
2. Empowering 10,000 learners and 600 teachers in 40 schools every 2 years with skills to act on information about drug abuse, HIV, and crime.
3. Raising increasing, and sustaining awareness and action at individual, community and political levels about the relationship between drug use and HIV.
4. Raising, increasing, and sustaining awareness and action in 40 schools and 4 Tinkhundla (constituency centres) every 2 years about the importance of knowing one’s HIV status, importance of accessing HIV services and where such services can be acquired.
5. Supporting government initiatives in promoting adolescent health and prevention of drug use, human trafficking, and HIV.
11- Anticipated outcomes of SADAT programs
1- Reduction in number of adolescents starting to use drugs in Eswatini.
2- Prevention of new HIV infections in Eswatini.
3- Members of parliament and other leaders able to do more to address drug use as a social determinant of health in Eswatini.
4- Increased number of well-disciplined learners with skills to positively deal with challenges of growing up, and to make decisions for healthy life-styles and focus on education.
5- Increased number of parents with parenting skills to reduce vulnerability of their children to drug use and HIV.
6- Schools that will serve as models for the country and the SADC region on the role of learners and parents in preventing drug use and HIV infections.
12- Funding
SADAT is a self-sponsored organization. We are not sub-vented by government or any organization. We receive some funding from international organizations such as the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) for specific projects. The Swaziland Building Society has also provided some funding in the past. Government and UN agencies sponsor SADAT on a project basis once in a while. The Ministry of Health under its AA-HA (Accelerating action for the health of adolescents) programme that brings together stakeholders in adolescent health activities is developing a programme with a component to raise funds for SADAT. We receive sponsorships and donations from the public but we do not accept funds or any form of support from the to***co industry and undisclosed sponsors. The day-to-day running of the organization is largely funded by the Coordinator and his family from personal resources.
13- Cultural sensibility, protocol, and security
SADAT’s Patron is a member of the Eswatini Royal Family. We handle matters of culture, protocol and security with the highest office in the country. The Patron attends SADAT events either in person or is represented by a person delegated by authorities. Her presence at public events attracts large attendance and high media coverage.
14- Resource material
We have guidelines and tools for facilitators. Our material is based on four international resources; the Universal Treatment Curriculum for Substance Use Disorders (UTC) of the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme (DAP), the International Standards on Drug Use Prevention(www.unodc.org/unodc/en/prevention/prevention-standards), the European drug prevention quality standards - A manual for prevention professionals (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 2011), and the School-based education for drug abuse (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna). We also use relevant material from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the government of Eswatini.
During training in addition to our own we get facilitators from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Royal Eswatini Police Service, and the World Health Organization.
15-Conclusion
SADAT has been working in the field of drug abuse, crime prevention and HIV in Eswatini since 1998. Our main challenge is lack of funds, transport and a fully-fledged secretariat. Our main asset is public goodwill.
We need subvention from local and international organizations and from government. With funding, our work will impact more effectively on the health and economy of the people of Eswatini and the entire SADC region.
Contact person
Rev. Peter Ssemwogerere Mugalu
ICAP I - Treatment (International Certified Addiction Professional).
TOT - Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC)
Professional Member, ISSUP.
SADAT Coordinator
Cell: +268 7611 5858, Tel: +268 2404 1077, E-mail: sadatsz@yahoo.com
