The African continent remains a significant transit hub for drug trafficking and is now witnessing a growing consumption of illicit substances. This is according to the latest World Drug Report presented by the United Nations on Wednesday, June 26th, in Accra, Ghana.
Since 2019, 120 tons of cocaine have been seized in Africa, predominantly in the Gulf of Guinea, as well as in Cape Verde and Senegal. Cheikh Ousmane Touré, the law enforcement officer for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Dakar, emphasized that the continent continues to be a crucial transit point for drugs produced in South America, fostering local criminal activities.
“There is laboratory evidence of cocaine being processed for local markets. This report indicates that, beyond being transit countries, some nations in the region are gradually becoming consumption zones for these substances.”
The report also highlights the rise of locally consumed mixed drugs such as kush, khadafi, and Monkey Tail. “The challenge is that we do not know the exact composition of these concoctions. Generally, without a good understanding of these compositions, there are inevitably mental, physical, and behavioral health repercussions for users.”
The UNODC urges African governments to invest more in research and prevention efforts. The report identifies the escalating drug use as a growing public health issue on the continent, requiring immediate and comprehensive action to mitigate its impact.