By Emmanuel Daudu
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the ENACT (Enhancing Africa’s capacity to respond to transnational organised crime) project are pleased to announce the official launch of the West African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (WENDU) Report. This significant event will take place on November 27th, 2022, and will offer valuable insights into the statistics and trends on illicit drug supply and use in the West African region.
According to a media summary made available to journalists by Mr. Kouadio Serge Programme Officer IT and Communication, ECOWAS, said, the comprehensive report will provide extensive data on drug seizures and arrests, including the types and quantities of drugs seized, as well as the number of individuals arrested, categorized by gender. The insightful discussions during the event will cover the latest estimates and trends concerning drug abuse, drug supply, and trafficking in substandard and counterfeit medicinal products across West Africa.
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Date: November 27th, 2022
One of the key highlights of the report pertains to the efforts made by national governments and their responsible institutions in curbing the supply of drugs within the sub-region. The data from 2020 to 2022 revealed that a total of 157,130 tonnes of drugs were seized, indicating an upward trend in the quantity of drugs seized in the sub-region. Notably, the report showcased that cannabis accounted for 68.96 percent of the seized drugs, followed by pharmaceuticals at 19.21 percent, cocaine at 2.23 percent, heroin at 1.96 percent, tramadol at 1.81 percent, and other substances at 0.8 percent.
The official launch event will serve as the platform for unveiling the insightful 2020-2022 report of the West African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (WENDU). It is expected that the report, through its detailed and significant findings, will contribute immensely to the collective efforts in addressing and managing the challenges associated with illicit drug supply and use in West Africa.
A notable observation highlighted in the report is that cannabis remains the primary drug for which individuals seek treatment in West Africa. In the years 2020-2022, cannabis accounted for over fifty-five percent (55 percent) of all treatment admissions.
The official launch of the West African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (WENDU) Report will be a groundbreaking event, serving as an invaluable resource for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders actively engaged in addressing the complex issues related to illicit drug supply and use in the West African region.
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