Drug Abuse in the Global Village
Cocaine Abuse in Africa
Extent of Cocaine Abuse
COTE D'IVOIRE
According to registries of drug abusers: cocaine (46 registered abusers) (U.N. 1993).
EGYPT
According to 1993 data: there is a growing, but still modest problem, relating to the abuse of cocaine among affluent young Egyptians (INCSR 1993).
ETHIOPIA
A survey conducted in Ethiopia on drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the years 1987, 1988 and 1990 showed that the most widely abused drugs, in order of importance, next to khat were cannabis, heroin and cocaine (Report 1991).
GABON
Abuse of cocaine is reported to be limited (Mounguengui 1990; Gabon 1992a).
GHANA
Ghana does not maintain a drug abuse registry. According to best judgement information, it is estimated that cocaine (5,000 annual and 3,500 daily abusers) (U.N. 1993).
MOROCCO
According to a sample survey on drug abuse among 500 students, 14 to 26 years of age, in Tanger, about 66.5% abused cannabis, 10.8% cocaine, 6.4% heroin and 4.9% prescription drugs. Frequent abuse is prevalent among 11.3% of the students, 18.6% used drugs occasionally and 8.1% once in a lifetime (Lamasouri 1993). Drug abuse among student, especially, in the region of Tanger is believed to be significantly higher than elsewhere in Morocco. In addition to cannabis abuse, it is reported that the abuse of sedatives (barbiturates, benzodiazepines, among others), volatile solvents, heroin, opium, morphine, synthetic narcotic analgesics, cocaine, coca paste and amphetamines is prevalent but not significant (U.N. 1993).
NAMIBIA
Drugs such as LSD, cocaine have been unknown in Namibia before independence but surged thereafter (HONLEA 1993).
NIGERIA
Several special population surveys were conducted in Nigeria but none at the national level (U.N. 1992; Nigeria 1991). According to a drug survey conducted in Lagos City in 1992, the most commonly abused drugs in Lagos city are cannabis, heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines and alcohol. Out of 66 persons who claimed to have abused psychoactive substances, about 80 per cent were males (or 55 cases). Eighty per cent of the drug consumers were between 18 and 30 years of age (U.N. 1993). A 1991 school survey in Lagos State (sample size 2,660) showed that approximately 20 per cent of the students had ever abused drugs and 11 per cent were currently abusing drugs. Ever abuse of cannabis, heroin and cocaine was approximately 5 per cent each and current use 2 per cent, 19 per cent had consumed "reactivan" (current use 6 per cent), and 14 per cent had taken tranquilizers ("Valium") (current use 9.5 per cent). Ever abuse rates of alcohol was found to be 20 per cent (current use 11.8 per cent) (Nigeria 1991). According to data from records of 14 out of the 30 psychiatric institutions in the country, collected by the Drug Demand Reduction Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in 1992, cannabis is the most abused drug (409 annual abusers), followed by multiple drug abuse (280 annual abusers), alcohol (137 annual abusers), cocaine (113 annual abusers) and heroin (85 annual abusers) (U.N. 1992, 1993).
A 1991 survey on drug abuse among patients in 5 mental health institutions in Nigeria showed that among the 2,253 patients admitted for mental health care, 6 per cent were for drug-related problems. Fifty-two per cent of the drug abusing patients abused only one type of drug and 47.8 per cent were multiple drug abusers. Of the patients abusing only one drug type, 30 per cent abused cannabis, 7.4 per cent heroin, 5.8 per cent cocaine, 1.5 per cent stimulants and 7.4 per cent alcohol (Nigeria 1991).
SENEGAL
Datura (known as "Katiddatabe" or "Katidiantabי"), a wild plant with hallucinogenic properties similar to LSD, is reported abused by young persons but avoided by habitual drug abusers (UNESCO 1988). In 1988, a sample survey was conducted among 7,677 young persons, 15 to 24 years of age, 5,585 students and 2,092 non-students. Survey findings indicate that 10.9 per cent of the youth abused tranquilizers. About 1.4 per cent of the youth surveyed, abused tranquilizers "often" or "very often". Further, about 14 per cent of the youth abused at least one illicit drug, 6.9 per cent abused cannabis, 5.9 per cent abused "pions", 5.1 per cent abused "guinze", 2.1 per cent abused "hard drugs" such as morphine, heroin or cocaine and 1.6 per cent abused datura (UNESCO 1988). Limited abuse of heroin, cocaine and volatile solvents are also reported (U.N. 1989).
SOUTH AFRICA
Other drugs abused include narcotic analgesic preparations, such as those found in cough syrups which may contain codeine, heroin, opium, morphine, hallucinogens, cocaine or amphetamines (U.N. 1993).
SUDAN
Other drugs abused include cocaine. No data relating to prevalence is available (U.N. 1991).
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
Other drugs abused include cocaine (40 annual abusers) (U.N. 1991).
Trends in Cocaine Abuse
BURKINA FASO
In 1993, a large decrease in the abuse of cocaine were reported (U.N. 1993)
COTE D'IVOIRE
In 1993, abuse of cocaine is reported decreasing (U.N. 1993).
GABON
Drug abuse is reported to be increasing, especially, among the youth (Mounguengui 1990).
GHANA
A large increase in the abuse of cocaine has been reported for 1993. The trend in the abuse of cocaine is viewed as connected to middle aged affluent traders using the drug as a status symbol, as well as to an increase in the availability of heroin and cocaine due to traffickers' efforts (U.N. 1993).
KENYA
Community concern is increasing in relation to the abuse of heroin, cocaine, methaqualone and solvents. However, drug abuse is not considered a major problem (Mwenesi Abdullah Halima 1995).
MALI
A general increase in drug abuse is reported (Mali - Year unknown).
MOROCCO
Since the late nineties, heroin and cocaine were introduced into the drug scene, especially in the North (Lamasouri 1993). In 1993, a large increase in the abuse of cocaine was reported. The increase in the demand of drugs has been attributed to socio-economic upheavals (U.N. 1993).
NAMIBIA
Some increase in cocaine abuse was reported for 1992. The increase in the abuse of certain drugs has been attributed to rising unemployment and migration to urban areas (U.N. 1992).
NIGERIA
Drug abuse is reported on the increase in 1992 and 1993, particularly with respect to heroin, cocaine, cannabis and, to a lesser extent, amphetamines and benzodiazepines. The increase in illicit drug consumption has been attributed to poor, depressed economic situation resulting in large unemployment, stress and parental deprivation. The increase in rural-urban migration with attendant social changes in urban settings has been identified as a contributing factor to drug abuse problems. The increased availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as a result of illicit trafficking has been reported as another major factor (U.N. 1992, 1993).
SOUTH AFRICA
Increases in the availability of illicit drugs, such as heroin and cocaine and diverted
licit drugs, such as methaqualone and "Wellcanol", dipipanone hydrochloride, a synthetic narcotic analgesic are also reported (U.N. 1992). There is a sharp rise in confiscations and arrests relating to drug trafficking. Methaqualone is also smuggled in increasing quantities into the country where it is very often taken with alcohol. There has been a sharp use in the number who abuse this combination of drugs (U.N. 1993). The increase in the consumption of diverted licit drugs and illicit drugs is attributed to unemployment, family disintegration, decline in religiosity, urbanization, changes in attitudes in the community and peer pressure (U.N. 1993).
SUDAN
A large increase in the abuse of cocaine was reported for 1991 (U.N. 1991).
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
Some increase in the abuse of cocaine was also reported for 1991. This is attributed to increased trafficking and more availability (U.N. 1991).
UGANDA
A large increase is reported in the abuse of cocaine (U.N. 1991). Cocaine has been recently introduced due to traffickers' diversion of their routes via Uganda (U.N. 1991).
BURKINA FASO
U.N. 1993. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaires" for the year 1993.
U.N. 1993. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaires" for the year 1993.
EGYPT
INCSR 1993. International Narcotics Control Strategy Report. United States Department of State. Bureau of International Narcotics Matters. April 1993.
ETHIOPIA
Report 1991. "Abuse of Drugs and Illicit Trafficking in Ethiopia". 1991.
GABON
Gabon 1992a. "Presentation de la Situation de la Drogue au Gabon". Premiere Reunion du Comite Technique de Lutte Anti-Drogue. 24- 30 Novembre 1992. Brazzaville (CONGO).
Mounguengui 1990. Dr. Mounguengui, Conseiller Technique du Ministre de la Sante. "Report to the conference on Drug abuse, Youth and the Society". Libreville, 21 July 1990.
GHANA
U.N. 1993. Replys to the UNDCP "Annual Report Questionnaires" for the year 1993.
MALI
Mali- Year unknown. "Note d'information sur la drogue". Ministטre de la Santי Publique et des Affairs Sociales. Year unknown.
MOROCCO
U.N. 1993. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaire" for the year 1993.
Lamasouri 1993. Drogue, Adolescence et Milieu Scolaire.
NAMIBIA
U.N. 1992. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaires" for the year 1992.
HONLEA 1993. "Sixth Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (HONLEA), Africa". Abidjan, 24-28 May 1993.
NIGERIA
U.N. 1992, 1993. Replies to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaire" for the year 1992 and 1993.
Nigeria 1991. 1991 Drug Abuse Data Collection, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria.
SENEGAL
U.N. 1989. Rapport Annual pour 1989 du Senegal sur la mise en application des Traites Internationaux Relatifs aux Stupefiants et aux substances psychotropes.
UNESCO 1988. "Consommation de drogue par les jeunes au Senegal", Rיsultats de l'enquךte יpidimiologique effectuיe au Sיnיgal sur la consomation de drogue parmi les 15 א 24 ans, UNESCO March 1988.
SOUTH AFRICA
U.N. 1992, 1993. Replies to the UNDCP's annual reports questionnaires for the years 1992 and 1993.
SUDAN
U.N. 1991. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaire" for the year 1991.
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
U.N. 1991. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaires" for the year 1991. Part II.
UGANDA
U.N. 1991. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaires" for the year 1991.