UN Report Sounds Alarm on Rising Drug Abuse in Southern Africa
By Delicious Mathuthu
The 2024 World Drug Report, released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has painted a stark picture of the drug landscape in Southern Africa with increase in drug use and concoctions, especially among young people.
The report, released just over a week ago (26/06/2024) reveals that cannabis and opioids (heroine, tramadol, etc) are the most commonly used drugs in the region.
Southern Africa also has the highest prevalence of HIV among people who inject drugs, with 22.3 percent of people who inject drugs living with HIV in 2022, the reports says.
“The high prevalence of people who inject drugs remains an issue in West and Central Africa, while the rate of HIV infections in people who inject drugs is of particular concern in Southern Africa,” part of the report says.
“Of the estimated 37 million people who
inject drugs in Africa, 166,000 (12.1 per
cent) were living with HIV in 2022.
“Within the region, West and Central Africa has the highest prevalence of people who inject drugs among the population (0.23 percent), while Southern Africa has the highest prevalence of HIV among people who inject drugs (22.3 percent).”
The region has a significant gender gap in drug use with more men using marijuana than women, stating that there is less than one woman for every nine men using cannabis.
The report notes that cocaine use is increasing in Southern Africa, with a growing number of people seeking treatment for its use.
Heroin also continues to be a significant problem in the region, with an increased number of people seeking treatment for heroin as well.
The report also highlights the emerging use of dangerous drug mixtures and concoctions, such as nyaope, karkoubi, and kush in Africa, which contain harmful substances, including illicit drugs, pharmaceuticals, alcohol, and solvents.
The report says experts warn that the increasing drug use in Southern Africa is a major public health concern, with many young people vulnerable to drug addiction.
The report calls for increased international cooperation to address the growing drug problem in the region and mitigate its consequences on health, governance, and security.
