Discourses on Opioid Addiction and Its Treatment and Management in South Africa Since 2000: A Systematic Review

In this article, we undertake a systematic review of the opioid addiction crisis in South Africa, with a particular focus on the country’s response since the emergence of the drug around 2000. The spotlight is on a specific opioid locally known as whoonga or nyaope, which has been driving a significant increase in addiction, particularly among youths in marginalised communities, including townships and squatter settlements. Drawing parallels with the past HIV/AIDS epidemic, characterised by delayed responses and enduring consequences, we provide a comprehensive overview of the ways in which South Africa has been dealing with this challenge. Driven by a solution-based approach, we present the prevailing discourses, extract insights from the country’s documented response, and invite innovative approaches for dealing with the drug that are tailored to the South African context.