Across Senegal and the wider West African region, the surge in drug seizures, particularly of cocaine, is causing concern among Gulf of Guinea states. For instance, on Sunday, April 14th, over a tonne of cocaine was seized in eastern Senegal. While these substances are primarily intended for export, notably to Europe, their usage is also on the rise within West Africa. Local stakeholders are worried and advocating for more prevention efforts.
The products passing through the Gulf of Guinea are predominantly in transit, destined for export, particularly to Europe. Highly potent, they are later diluted to increase traffickers’ profits. Record-breaking seizures have been occurring for several months.
However, the consumption of hard drugs, including “amphetamines and cocaine,” as well as “heroin and crack,” is spreading across West Africa, according to Cheikh Diop, coordinator of the drug awareness center in Thiaroye, a suburb of Dakar. He asserts that Thiaroye is now a “high-consumption zone” and urges authorities to allocate more resources to prevention efforts.
“It’s important to acknowledge that we are facing a significant consumption issue. In recent years, we’ve witnessed a notable uptick in drug consumption, particularly of amphetamines and cocaine. It’s a deeply concerning situation, especially as it affects young people. The factors driving youth into drug use are diverse, with social precariousness playing a particularly significant role. We are deeply concerned because the center where I work regularly receives young individuals. Every week, we welcome at least ten young people who are consumers. Primarily cannabis, admittedly, but we also encounter individuals who consume harder drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, and crack. Therefore, it’s a rather alarming situation, especially given that the support structures are insufficient to meet all needs. Additionally, there’s a lack of substantial resources allocated to drug prevention efforts.”
This call for action underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address drug abuse and its associated societal challenges across the West African region.