AFRICA'S DRUG PROBLEM LIKELY TO INCREASE -STUDY

NEW YORK, (PANA) - Though currently insignificant in global terms,
sub-Saharan Africa's drug problem is likely to increase in the next few
years, a study by the United Nations Drug Control Programme has indicated.

The study carried out in ten countries between last November and February
this year, was unveiled by the UNDCP study team in New York Wednesday, as a
lead-up event to the special session of the United Nations General Assembly
scheduled for New York between June 8 and 10.

The study identified sub-Saharan Africa's drug problems in the areas of
production, trafficking and consumption with their other ramifications.

Its prognosis of an increase in Africa's drug problem is based on the fact
that the continent has weak law enforcement structures, acute economic,
social and political problems as well as the strengthening of legal
controls in other regions of the world.

Already, South Africa, Kenya and various West African countries are being
used as springboards for international trafficking syndicates from Latin
America and Asia, the UNDCP stated.

Citing figures, the study pointed out that in 1996, Africa accounted for
321,292 kilogrammes or 12 percent of worldwide cannabis seizures.

But cocaine seizures amounted to only 386 kilogrammes in 1996 while heroin
seizures totaled 169 kilogrammes in 1997 as compared to 10,425 kilogrammes
for Western Europe alone.

The study noted that the weakness in South Africa's policing of the drug
problem has made it vulnerable to international trafficking groups from
Nigeria and Latin America.

A major crackdown on drug crime in Nigeria in recent years resulting in the
tripling of arrests, has forced drug traffickers to use other West and East
African countries like Ethiopia as transit points for entering the European
and North American countries, the study pointed out.

In Mozambique, a country just emerging from decades of civil war, many
ex-soldiers have already become involved in drugs, either as dealers or
users.

In terms of production, the study found that cannabis and khat were the
main drugs produced in Africa, though crack cocaine was also found to be
produced in such cities as Lagos and Johannesburg.

The study also found that cannabis was the most widely used drug in both
rural and urban centres in Africa, with its prices less expensive than beer
and local bus fares.

Heroin was only slightly more expensive and cocaine was the most expensive
drug, except in cities such as Johannesburg, where it appears that
tremendous spill-over from the drug trafficking taking place in these
cities has allowed cocaine prices to fall below those of heroin, the UNDCP
observed.

In coping with the drug problem, the UNDCP suggested that it be reognised
as being underpinned by economic, social and political problems. This
understanding would lead to the development of new models of dealing with
the problem, the agency stated.

In addition, it stressed the need for the enhancement of the skills of
personnel in charge of monitoring the drug trend through donor assistance,
while at the same time ensuring that public policy shifts illicit drug
consumption to high income groups where monitoring would be relatively more
feasible.

In a similar vein, the UNDCP advised that control measures be focussed on
areas where drug transactions can be more easily monitored and controlled,
like the ports of entry.

The UN body further called for assistance to farmers and generation of
urban employment as key elements in drug control on the continent.

Recognising that non-governmental organisations can also play a significant
role in the control efforts, the UNDCP stressed the need for their
involvement, especially in prevention and rehabilitation activities such as
education programmes for rehabilitated addicts.

The credibility of the state also need be strengthened to infuse greater
willingness of the civil society to abide by drug laws, the UNDCP advised,
adding that this would require the reform of the judiciaries, criminal and
penal legislation and accountability.

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