A new report reveals a dire situation in West Africa as eleven ECOWAS countries collectively seized more than 83,000 kilograms of various drugs and 31,000 tablets throughout 2023. This extensive haul highlights the region’s escalating drug crisis, with significant quantities of cannabis, medical opioids, heroin, and cocaine being intercepted.
The report sheds light on the rising trend of drug use among minors, calling for an urgent and comprehensive approach to prevention. It stresses the need for widespread substance abuse education and intervention programs in schools to counteract this troubling development. Additionally, the document emphasizes the importance of creating specialized rehabilitation centers for women, as substance abuse rates among females are climbing and access to treatment remains limited.
Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, a key ECOWAS official, emphasized the need for a coordinated and multi-faceted response to substance use disorders. “Addressing these issues effectively requires collaboration across various sectors rather than relying on families and friends to bear the burden alone,” Ugbe said.
The report also highlights the unique challenges faced by West Africa due to its geographical location and the porous nature of its borders, which contribute to its role as a major transit hub for drug trafficking. Esther Grant, Director of Operations at Liberia’s Ministry of Health, pointed out that “the ability of states to manage and monitor these borders is often limited by inadequate resources and capacity.”
In response to these challenges, the report advocates for the regional adoption of the ECOWAS Alternative to Incarceration program, which seeks to provide more effective and humane alternatives to traditional incarceration. It also calls for a more evidence-based approach to addressing the cannabis problem, urging policymakers to rely on data-driven strategies to mitigate the impact of drug abuse in the region.
