Drug Abuse in the Global Village
Opiates Abuse in Africa
Extent of Opiate Abuse in Africa
CHAD
In 1989, it was estimated that there were 50 opium abusers and 50 heroin abusers in Chad (U.N. 1989).
According to registries of drug abusers: heroin (169) (U.N. 1993).
EGYPT
The annual prevalence of opiates (0.5%) (U.N. 1989b). About 8 per cent of the male secondary school students have ever abused drugs (U.N. 1989b). According to a sample survey of 5,108 workers, about 12.8 per cent abused cannabis and opium; of these, 90 per cent abuse cannabis only. It is estimated that more than one million workers abuse cannabis and opium. Psychoactive drugs are abused by workers to a much lesser extent (1.8 per cent). In comparison, the prevalence of alcohol abuse among workers is significantly higher (20 per cent) (Al Kott 1991). According to 1993 data there is a growing, but still modest problem, relating to the abuse of heroin and 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
Availability and abuse of heroin are relatively recent (Mounguengui 1990; Gabon 1992a).
GHANA
Ghana does not maintain a drug abuse registry. According to best judgement information, it is estimated that heroin (3,000 annual and 2,000 daily abusers), and amphetamine and synthetic narcotic analgesics (1,000 annual abusers and 500 daily abusers each) (U.N. 1993).
MALI
According to a 1990 study conducted among 454 prisoners, medical preparations were abused by 41 per cent of the prisoners, cannabis (called also "yamba") by 13.1 per cent and heroin 0.7 per cent. About 17.4 per cent abused a drug once in their lifetime, 49.6 per cent from time to time, 18.4 per cent daily and 14.6 per cent several times a day. About 34.3 per cent of the prisoners are drug dependent abusers (Facy and Delile 1990).
MAURITIUS
According to U.N. 1993, the estimated number of annual abusers of heroin the estimates range between 2000 and 4000 (U.N. 1993). According to U.N. 1985, heroin (10,000 to 15,000 daily abusers) and opium (400 to 500 daily abusers) (U.N. 1985).
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 heroin have been unknown in Namibia before independence but surged thereafter (HONLEA 1993). A sample survey conducted among 600 school children and 600 parents in 1991: among school children, alcohol is the most commonly abused drug (41% daily), followed by tobacco (13.27% daily) and synthetic narcotic analgesics (1.3% daily). About 0.5% of the school children abused mandrax on weekends and 3.3% abused it occasionally (see Table 1 for more details),(U.N. 1991).
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).
Another survey conducted among 2,439 secondary school students, 9 to 25 years of age, in Northern Nigeria in 1992, found that the prevalence rate of cocaine abuse was 1.1 per cent, heroin 1.3 per cent, volatile solvents 1.5 per cent and benzodiazepines (particularly "Valium") 3.5 per cent (U.N. 1992).
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).
RWANDA
According to arrests data from the Public Ministry, there were 100 annual and 10 daily abusers of heroin in 1990 (U.N. 1990). Heroin were reported to be the most prevalent drugs of abuse in 1989 also (CMO 1989).
SENEGAL
In a 1990 survey conducted among 351 prison inmates, 79.9 per cent reported abusing cannabis, 12.5% medical preparations, 1.1 per cent heroin and 0.9 per cent volatile substances. The frequency of drug abuse reported by prison inmates is as follows: one time abuse (8.8%), occasionally (54.1), daily (26.6%), several time per day (10.5%). About 53.6 per cent were considered drug dependent (Facy and Delile 1990).
According to a 1990 study among 51 patients in drug related treatment in a hospital, 60.8 per cent abuse cannabis, 19.6 per cent abuse medical preparations and 7.8 per cent abuse heroin. About 6 per cent abused a drug once in their lifetime, 40 per cent from time to time, 32 per cent daily and 22 per cent several times a day. About 70.3 per cent of the patients were considered drug dependent abusers (Facy and Delile 1990).
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 heroin. No data relating to prevalence is available (U.N. 1991).
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
Other drugs abused include heroin (100 annual abusers), morphine (50 annual abusers), synthetic narcotic analgesics (40 annual abusers) (U.N. 1991).
UGANDA
Opiates and synthetic narcotic analgesics are also abused (U.N. 1991).
ZAMBIA
Cannabis is reported to be the most abused drug in Zambia, followed by heroin and volatile solvents (U.N. 1990).
BURKINA FASO
A large increase in the traffic of heroin for 1989 and 1990 was reported (U.N. 1989, 1990). In 1993, a large decrease in the abuse of heroin were reported. The decrease in consumption is attributed to attitude change towards drug abuse. Abuse of synthetic narcotic analgesics was ported to be stable (U.N. 1993). (Report 1994).
COTE D'IVOIRE
In 1993, heroin abuse were reported stable (U.N. 1993).
EGYPT
An increase in opiates abuse has been reported (INCSR 1993; UNDCP CPF 1993). Abuse of "hard" drugs such as heroin is reported to be increasing among young Egyptians (INCSR 1993).
GABON
Drug abuse is reported to be increasing, especially, among the youth (Mounguengui 1990).
GHANA
A large increase in the abuse of heroin has been reported for 1993. Some increase in the abuse of synthetic narcotic analgesics has been also reported. The trend in the abuse of heroin 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 due to traffickers' efforts (U.N. 1993).
KENYA
Community concern is increasing in relation to the abuse of heroin. 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).
MAURITIUS
The Trust Fund for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts has confirmed the observed heroin epidemic in Mauritius in 1986. After aggressive measures taken by the government in 1985 and 1986, a sudden downward trend was observed in 1987, which continued until 1990. Since then a slight increase in trafficking and consumption of heroin has been reported (HONLEA 1991). Some decrease in the abuse of opium has been observed (U.N. 1993).
The increase in the consumption of illicit drugs could be attributed to increased availability of illicit drugs and to an increase in income due to a higher employment rate ant rapid urbanization of Mauritius. An increase in trafficking has also been reported (U.N. 1993).
According to statistics obtained from the Police Department, it is observed that the number of arrests, compared to that of a couple of years ago, is lightly on the increase (U.N. 1992, 1993).
MOROCCO
Since the late nineties, heroin were introduced into the drug scene, especially in the North (Lamasouri 1993). In 1993, a large increase in the abuse of heroin was reported (U.N. 1993).
NAMIBIA
Some increase in heroin abuse was reported for 1992 (U.N. 1992).
NIGERIA
Drug abuse is reported on the increase in 1992 and 1993, particularly with respect to heroin. 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).
RWANDA
A large decrease in heroin was reported in 1990. The decrease in heroin abuse was attributed to increased control and prevention activities by relevant public services and reeducation of abusers (U.N. 1990).
SOUTH AFRICA
There is a significant increase in the abuse of diverted licit substances (such as volatile solvents and licit medical drugs). In addition, 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).
SUDAN
A large decrease was reported in the abuse of heroin (U.N. 1991).
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
Some increase in the abuse of heroin was reported for 1991. This is attributed to increased trafficking and more availability. A significant proportion of heroin abusers are initiated by traffickers, who offer the drug free of charge (U.N. 1991).
UGANDA
A large increase is reported in the abuse of opiates (U.N. 1991).
BURKINA FASO
U.N. 1989,1990,1993. Replies to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaires" for the years 1989,1990 and 1993.
Report 1994. Definition d'une Politique Nationale de Lutte Contre la Drogue au Burkina Faso. Ouagadougou, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th/ Feb./1994. Comite National de Lutte Contre la Drogue. 1ere Session Ordinaire Statutaire.
CHAD
U.N. 1989. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaire" for the year 1989.
COTE D'IVORE
U.N. 1993. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaires" for the years 1993.
EGYPT
Al Kott 1991. "Drug and Substances Abuse Among Egyptian Workers- Model Programmes for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Workers and their Families".
U.N. 1989b. Replies to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaires", 1989. Field Test Draft, 1990.
INCSR 1993. International Narcotics Control Strategy Report. United States Department of State. Bureau of International Narcotics Matters. April 1993.
UNDCP CPF 1993. UNDCP Country Programme Framework. EGYPT. September 21st, 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. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Report Questionnaires" for the year 1993.
MALI
Facy and Delile 1990. "Toxicomanes Pris en charge en Afrique: Enquךte Epidemiologique, Rיsultats provisoires". Resultats Provisoires Juin 1990.
MAURITIUS
U.N. 1985,1992,1993. Replies to the UNDCP "Annual Report Questionnaires".
HONLEA 1991. Country Report of Mauritius to the Fourth Meeting of National Drug Law enforcement Agencies (HONLEA), Africa, April 1991.
MOROCCO
U.N. 1993. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaire".
Lamasouri 1993. Drogue, Adolescence et Milieu Scolaire.
NAMIBIA
U.N. 1991,1992. Replies to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaires" for the years 1991 and 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.
RWANDA
U.N. 1990. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaire" for the year 1990.
CMO 1989. Reply to the questionnaire concerning the seven targets of the "Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Outline of Future Activities in Drug Abuse Control" (CMO) for the year 1989.
SENEGAL
Facy and Delile 1990. "Toxicomanies pris en charge en Afrique, enquךte יpidemiologique, rיsultats provisoires".
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. Replies to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaires" for the years 1990, 1991 and 1992.