The PTACC Africa Deflection Summit, held on 5–6 November 2026 in Arusha, Tanzania, brought together stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to advance discussions on deflection, diversion and Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI). The summit provided a platform for strengthening collaboration between law enforcement, healthcare professionals, treatment providers, civil society organisations, policymakers and other stakeholders in promoting public health-oriented responses to substance use and related challenges.
Representing the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), Deogratius Ramale delivered a presentation titled “Africa’s Voice & Contribution to the Global Deflection Movement: Highlighting African Innovations, Lessons Learned, and Leadership in Global ATI Practices.” The presentation explored Africa's experiences, emerging innovations and contributions to the global deflection movement, emphasising the importance of context-specific approaches, community-based interventions, evidence-informed treatment, multidisciplinary collaboration and sustainable pathways to recovery and social reintegration.
The presentation also highlighted the role of ISSUP in strengthening professional capacity, promoting evidence-based practice, facilitating knowledge exchange and amplifying African expertise in global substance use policy and practice discussions. It reinforced the importance of positioning African countries not merely as recipients of international models, but as active contributors to shaping effective, inclusive and sustainable approaches to deflection and alternatives to incarceration.
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