The escalating drug crisis in West Africa requires an urgent, targeted and strategic policy response, as the West African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (WENDU) report for the years 2020-2022 highlights. The absence of a detailed overview of the drug phenomenon has led to a lack of effective policies in the region, which is why this report plays a crucial role in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states implementation of comprehensive policies and infrastructure to address the issue. The unveiling of the report on 27 November 2023, as well as its drafting was done through a collaborative effort by GIFP action ENACT and ECOWAS.
During this unveiling participants were presented with the WENDU report’s findings and the stark picture of the drug scenario in West Africa which shows a staggering increase in drug seizures and trafficking incidents. Over the studied period (2020-2022), a total of 157,130 tonnes of drugs were seized, with cannabis accounting for 62% of the total haul. Cannabis seizures marked a 60% increase in countries like Niger and Cote d’Ivoire, while pharmaceutical opioids also emerged as a major concern, with tramadol and codeine constituting the largest portion of opioid seizures. The use of illegal drugs or prescription opioids for non-medical purposes has more than tripled from an estimated 1.6 million in 1990 to 5.7 million in 2018.
Drug-related offenses have also increased, with Nigeria reporting the highest number of arrests. With West Africa having the largest regional drugs market in Africa by a significant margin and with the drug market projected to double from around 5.7 million users in 2018 to approximately 13 million in 2050, these drug related offenses are bound to increase drastically.
Amidst these alarming statistics, the report underscores the demographic and societal implications of drug use disorders. A substantial proportion of individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse are males, with a concerning number being children, the report finds. The gender disparities in seeking treatment for specific drug disorders emphasise the need for tailored interventions. Furthermore, the report finds that inhalation is the primary mode of drug intake, predominantly associated with cannabis use, and highlights the crucial involvement of friends and family in funding medical treatment.
In response to these findings, the report proposes a series of strategic recommendations, including regulating pharmaceutical opioids, running targeted prevention campaigns, community-based interventions, enhanced referral mechanisms, construction of more treatment facilities (especially in rural areas), and financial assistance programs for treatment affordability. Additionally, the report underscores the need for standardised data collection protocols, capacity building, and technology utilisation to streamline reporting mechanisms and enhance data quality. These steps can pave the way for more effective interventions to combat the escalating drug crisis in West Africa.
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