The 2024 Report of the West African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (WENDU) highlights West Africa’s shift from a drug transit route to a growing consumer market, driven by youth-led demand amid socioeconomic vulnerabilities. Cannabis dominates seizures and treatment admissions. Cocaine seizures reached 13.2 tons, while amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) seized surged to 23 tons. Emerging threats include synthetic drugs such as kush and pharmaceutical opioids, for instance tramadol, which are linked to devastating health emergencies in some countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Acknowledgements
This policy brief was made possible by the invaluable contributions of Dr Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, the ECOWAS Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, and Dr Daniel Amankwaah, the Principal Programme Officer at the ECOWAS Drug Prevention and Control Division. Special appreciation goes to Dr Ndubuisi Christian Ani, Dr Rita Kadanga and Grace Sewuese Orshio Esq. and all the WENDU Focal Points who contributed significantly to developing the policy brief.
Image: Adobestock
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