According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, drug abuse is a major problem in Africa, with around 19 million people using illicit drugs in 2019.
Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. One of the key impacts of illicit drug use on society is the negative health consequences experienced by its members. Drug use also puts a heavy financial burden on individuals, families and society.
A range of factors drives the evolution of the complex global illicit drug problem. Sociodemographic trends are influential such as the population’s gender, age and the rate of urbanization.
Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit substance in the African Region. The highest prevalence and increase in use is being reported in West and Central Africa with rates between 5.2% and 13.5%.
Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) such as “ecstasy” and methamphetamine now rank as Africa’s second most widely abused drug type. Other substances that were used by children and youth surveyed in Sierra Leone, included benzodiazepines such as diazepam, chlorpromazine and different inhalants, while 3.7% were injecting drugs.
Recent estimates are that in 2008, 155 to 250 million people, or 3.5% to 5.7% of the world’s population aged 15-64, used other psychoactive substances, such as cannabis, amphetamines, cocaine, opioids, and non-prescribed psychoactive prescription medication. Globally, cannabis is the most commonly used (129-190 million people), followed by amphetamine-type stimulants, then cocaine and opioids.
The use of psychoactive substances causes significant health and social problems for the people who use them, and also for others in their families and communities. WHO estimated that 0.7% of the global burden of disease in 2004 was due to cocaine and opioid use, with the social cost of illicit substance use being in the region of 2% of GDP in those countries which have measured it.
In 2010, about 5% of people (230 million) used an illicit substance. Of these, 27 million have high-risk drug use—otherwise known as recurrent drug use—causing harm to their health, causing psychological problems, and or causing social problems that put them at risk of those dangers. In 2015, substance use disorders resulted in 307,400 deaths, up from 165,000 deaths in 1990. Of these, the highest numbers are from alcohol use disorders at 137,500, opioid use disorders at 122,100 deaths, amphetamine use disorders at 12,200 deaths, and cocaine use disorders at 11,100.
The exact cause of substance abuse is not clear. Still, there are two predominant theories: either a genetic predisposition or a habit learned from others, which, if addiction develops, manifests itself as a chronic debilitating disease.
Drug abuse in Africa poses severe consequences, affecting individuals, communities, and societies at large. The consequences are multifaceted, spanning health, social, economic, and security dimensions.
There are diverse effects of Drug Abuse but to mention a few:
- Physical Health: Substance abuse leads to a range of health issues, including cardiovascular problems, respiratory disorders, and liver damage.
- Mental Health: Increased risk of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis is associated with drug abuse.
- HIV/AIDS Transmission: Injecting drug use contributes to the spread of HIV/AIDS, particularly when needles are shared.
The effect of Drug Abuse and the continual usage cannot be eradicated at a single glimpse, there is a need for a concerted effort involving government institutions, healthcare providers, communities, and international partners is crucial to addressing the complex issue of drug abuse in Africa. By implementing a combination of preventive measures, treatment options, and law enforcement strategies, societies can work towards minimising the impact of drug abuse and promoting healthier communities.
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