What lies ahead for Drug Advice Support (DAS)?

Well after over a year of concept and development with the Drug Advice Support (DAS) system how far have we journeyed and what lies ahead of us. We celebrate a year of Advice Support, although it only went live August 2008, we've seen change and innovation through this process.

What began as a little experiment to serve a small community would capture the imagination of a nation. DAS began with little idea exactly how it will be done but the sole purpose of the concept was to ensure the well being of its users. From early beginnings in 2007 the idea came about using technology in counselling. With a group of dedicated community developers we began this journey and not only saw the lives of people in need reconstructed but also the co-development of the Advice Support Network.

So since then we've reached out to citizens affected by the problem of substance abuse, HIV and AIDS and offering Career Advice and Support using our Advice Support Network. Now that we've managed to show how useful this technology is as an enabler to support counseling we are ready for the next step in our journey. We are planning to expand the service to other parts of South Africa in order to support citizens in need across our nation. For more about this project in the media read...

Advice Support Network: Screenshots

The Advice Support Network has been taking off nicely and we thought sharing some screenshots to see the technology used by the Advisors accross South Africa to support people in need.


Above the Drug Advice Support (DAS) log in page


Career Advice Support (CAS) log in page



Career Advice Support (CAS) example conversation

Positive Advice Support (PAS) admin page

Advice Support Services Latest

Today was another successful day with the Advice Support Services. Drug Advice Support (DAS) times were extended to 7pm. We are therefore now online between 3 and 7pm every Tuesday and Thursday. Our first day with the extended hours went well and we've seen an increase in number after 5pm.

Another milestone was achieved today when we reached our 50 subscribers mark with our Career Advice Support (CAS)service. This has been achieved without any marketing or promotion of the service as yet. Positive Advice Support (PAS) also had a good day as we've had a number of requests to the service. We will keep you updated on the progress of the expanded Advice Support services.

Advice Support expansions

This year we are starting with a bang and expanding Advice Support services with the launch of 2 new additions to DAS (Drug Advice Support). PAS (Positive Advice Support), advice and support for people impacted by HIV or AIDS, and CAS (Career Advice Support), offering youth advice on studies,career and general tips, has been launched today and is available to the public.

How to add PAS:
- Add contact
- Select Google Talk
- Google ID: pasdirect , Nickname: PAS
- Accept Contact

How to add CAS:
- Add contact
- Select Google Talk
- Google ID: casdirect , Nickname: CAS
- Accept Contact

These services will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays 3 - 5pm. With these expansions we hope to reach and start reconstructing as many people using technology.