Drug Abuse in the Global Village
Cannabis Abuse in Africa

Extent of Cannabis Abuse

BURKINA FASO
Abuse of cannabis has been reported for 1989 and 1990. Estimates on prevalence of abuse are not available (U.N. 1989, 1990, 1993).

CHAD
In 1989, it was estimated that there were 50 cannabis abusers in Chad (U.N. 1989).

COTE D'IVOIRE
According to registries of drug abusers the most abused drugs are cannabis (672 registered abusers) (U.N. 1993).

EGYPT
The annual prevalence of cannabis, the most abused drug in Egypt, is estimated at 5 per cent (U.N. 1989b). About 8 per cent of the male secondary school students have ever abused drugs (U.N. 1989b). According to a sample survey of 5,108 workers, about 12.8 per cent abused cannabis and opium; of these, 90 per cent abuse cannabis only.  It is estimated that more than one million workers abuse cannabis and opium. Psychoactive drugs are abused by workers to a much lesser extent (1.8 per cent). In comparison, the prevalence of alcohol abuse among workers is significantly higher (20 per cent) (* Al Kott 1991). According to 1993 data, hashish is the most abused drug in Egypt. Government authorities estimate that up to two million Egyptians are regular abusers.  There is a growing, but still modest problem, relating to the abuse of heroin and cocaine among affluent young Egyptians. It is also reported that barbiturates and prescription drugs are widely abused (INCSR 1993).

ETHIOPIA
According to the 1993 Annual Reports Questionnaire, Ethiopia does not maintain a drug abuse registry (U.N. 1993).  Assessment of the extent of drug abuse is based on indirect indicators, such as data provided by the Police, the psychiatric hospital and Courts and Customs (Forum 1993). Although the magnitude of drug abuse in Ethiopia has not been studied thoroughly, it is known that millions of Ethiopians are engaged either in the trade or abuse of khat (catha Edulis) (Forum 1993). A survey conducted in Ethiopia on drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the years 1987, 1988 and 1990 showed that the most widely abused drugs, in order of importance, next to khat were cannabis, heroin and cocaine (Report 1991). Recent surveys showed that 43 per cent of the patients at the mental hospitals in the country and 10 per cent of outpatients had abused, at least one of the following drugs: alcohol, cannabis or khat (Mission 1994).

GABON
Cannabis is used in traditional treatment (Mounguengui 1990; Gabon 1992a).

GHANA
Ghana does not maintain a drug abuse registry.  According to best judgement information, it is estimated that cannabis is the most abused drug (2,000,000 annual and 1,500,000 daily abusers) (U.N. 1993). Between 1975 and 1980, a research conducted for the Ghana Education Service and UNESCO revealed that of the 4216 students interviewed in 35 schools in Southern Ghana, nearly 50 per cent had abused at least one drug (Preventive Education 1992).

MALI
According to a 1990 study conducted among 454 prisoners, medical preparations were abused by 41 per cent of the prisoners, cannabis (called also "yamba") by 13.1 per cent. About 17.4 per cent abused a drug once in their lifetime, 49.6 per cent from time to time, 18.4 per cent daily and 14.6 per cent several times a day. About 34.3 per cent of the prisoners are drug dependent abusers (* Facy and Delile 1990). According to a 1990 study among 46 patients in drug related treatment in a hospital, 51.1 per cent abuse medical preparations, 33.4 per cent cannabis and 2.2 per cent volatile solvents. About 22.2 per cent abused a drug once in their lifetime, 48.9 per cent from time to time, 15.6 per cent daily and 13.3 per cent several times a day. About 24.4 per cent of the patients are drug dependent abusers (* Facy and Delile 1990).

MAURITIUS
According to U.N. 1993, the estimated number of annual abusers of cannabis ranges from 2500 to 5000 (U.N. 1993). According to U.N. 1985, cannabis (4,000 to 5,000 daily abusers) (U.N. 1985). Findings of a survey on Drug and Alcohol Problems in the Workplace among Workforce (400 questionnaires), conducted in 1992, by a Trust Fund, show that 37 per cent of the supervisors interviewed agreed that drug or alcohol is a problem at the workplace, 21.2 per cent of the supervisors interviewed stated that they have employees who are absent due to problems related to alcohol or drug abuse, and only 28 per cent of the supervisors confirmed that their company has a prevention programme at the workplace (U.N. 1992, 1993). Forty per cent of psychotropic drugs are diverted into the illegal market (Mission 1993).

MOROCCO
Traditional abuse of cannabis in Morocco is common, although national drug statistics are not available. Cannabis is abused in its herbal form: "hashish", as a pastry: "maajoune" and in a mix of tobacco and cannabis, known as "kif". According to a sample survey on drug abuse among 500 students, 14 to 26 years of age, in Tanger, about 66.5% abused cannabis. Frequent abuse is prevalent among 11.3% of the students, 18.6% used drugs occasionally and 8.1% once in a lifetime (* Lamasouri 1993).  Drug abuse among student, especially, in the region of Tanger is believed to be significantly higher than elsewhere in Morocco (U.N. 1993).

NAMIBIA
Cannabis is reported to be the most prevalent drug of abuse in Namibia (20,000 annual and 10,000 daily abusers) (U.N. 1992). A sample survey conducted among 600 school children and 600 parents in 1991, suggests that tobacco is the most common drug of abuse among parents (42% daily), followed by alcohol (9.5% daily), traditional brews (5.5% daily), cannabis (or "dagga", 3% daily) and synthetic narcotic analgesics (3% daily).  Among school children, alcohol is the most commonly abused drug (41% daily), followed by tobacco (13.27% daily) and synthetic narcotic analgesics (1.3% daily).  (see Table 1 for more details),(U.N. 1991). Ninety per cent of the total prison population in 1992 were drug and alcohol abusers.  Out of these, 97 per cent were males (U.N. 1992). In 1990, it was reported that 15 to 20 per cent of youth had abused methaqualone and cannabis (CMO 1990).

Table 1. Type of drugs used and extent and patterns of drug abuse among the adults and school children (data in italic) of the survey, 1991.
                                                                                   DRUG TYPE                NORMAL USAGE PATTERN
                                    (PERCENTAGE USE)
                                                                                                            Absta- Occasio-          Weekend        Daily
                                    iners                nal use     use              use
                                                                                   Cannabis
            adults               91.8          2.8                 2.0                 3.3
            children              (93.0)            (3.7)      (2.7)               (0.7)
                                                                                  
(Source: Reply to the Annual Reports Questionnaire, 1991).

NIGERIA
Several special population surveys were conducted in Nigeria but none at the national level (U.N. 1992; Nigeria 1991). According to a drug survey conducted in Lagos City in 1992, the most commonly abused drugs in Lagos city are cannabis, heroin, cocaine, benzodiazepines and alcohol.  Eighty per cent of the drug consumers were between 18 and 30 years of age (U.N. 1993). A 1991 school survey in Lagos State (sample size 2,660) showed that approximately 20 per cent of the students had ever abused drugs and 11 per cent were currently abusing drugs.  Ever abuse of cannabis, heroin and cocaine was approximately 5 per cent each and current use 2 per cent, 19 per cent had consumed "reactivan" (current use 6 per cent), and 14 per cent had taken tranquilizers ("Valium") (current use 9.5 per cent).  Ever abuse rates of alcohol was found to be 20 per cent (current use 11.8 per cent) (Nigeria 1991). According to data from records of 14 out of the 30 psychiatric institutions in the country, collected by the Drug Demand Reduction Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in 1992, cannabis is the most abused drug (409 annual abusers) (U.N. 1992, 1993). A 1991 survey on drug abuse among patients in 5 mental health institutions in Nigeria showed that among the 2,253 patients admitted for mental health care, 6 per cent were for drug-related problems.  Fifty-two per cent of the drug abusing patients abused only one type of drug and 47.8 per cent were multiple drug abusers.  Of the patients abusing only one drug type, 30 per cent abused cannabis (Nigeria 1991).

RWANDA
According to arrests data from the Public Ministry, there were 600 annual and 200 daily abusers of cannabis in 1990 (U.N. 1990).  Cannabis were reported to be the most prevalent drugs of abuse in 1989 also (CMO 1989).

SENEGAL
In a 1990 survey conducted among 351 prison inmates, 79.9 per cent reported abusing cannabis. The frequency of drug abuse reported by prison inmates is as follows: one time abuse (8.8%), occasionally (54.1), daily (26.6%), several time per day (10.5%). About 53.6 per cent were considered drug dependent  (Facy and Delile 1990).  According to a 1990 study among 51 patients in drug related treatment in a hospital, 60.8 per cent abuse cannabis. About 6 per cent abused a drug once in their lifetime, 40 per cent from time to time, 32 per cent daily and 22 per cent several times a day. About 70.3 per cent of the patients were considered drug dependent abusers (Facy and Delile 1990). In 1988, a sample survey was conducted among 7,677 young persons, 15 to 24 years of age, 5,585 students and 2,092 non-students. Survey findings indicate that: 6.9 per cent abused cannabis (UNESCO 1988).

SOUTH AFRICA
Cannabis is reported to be the most abused illicit drug in South Africa, with an estimated number of 50,799 annual abusers and 15,000 daily abusers (U.N. 1993).

SUDAN
Cannabis is reported to be the most abused drug in Sudan. No data relating to prevalence is available (U.N. 1991).

UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
Cannabis is reported to be the most abused drug in Tanzania with an estimated 42,000 annual and 10,000 daily abusers (U.N. 1991).

UGANDA
Cannabis is reported to be the abused drugs in Uganda (100,000 annual and 2,500 daily abusers) (U.N. 1991).

ZAMBIA
Cannabis is reported to be the most abused drug in Zambia (U.N. 1990). It is estimated that there were 31,114 drug abusers in Lusaka, the capital city, in 1993 (ICPO 1993).

ZIMBABWE
In a 1990 study conducted among 976 respondents in Primary Health Care Centres (PHC) (21.4%),  psychiatric services (25.7%), schools (29.6%), prisons (11.5%), elsewhere (11.8%), about 692 reported their about their use of intoxicating substances, which include alcohol and tobacco. Among those who reported any use of intoxicating substances, medical preparations were abused by 3.3 per cent, "African herbs" 3 per cent and volatile solvents 1.3 per cent. About 14 per cent abused a drug once in their lifetime, 60.1 per cent from time to time, 20.3 per cent daily and 5.6 per cent several times a day (Facy and Delile 1990).

References and Notes

 

BURKINA FASO
U.N. 1989,1990,1993. Replies to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaires" for the years 1989,1990 and 1993.

CHAD
U.N. 1989.  Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaire" for the year 1989.

COTE D'IVORE
U.N. 1993. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaires" for the year 1993.

EGYPT
* Al Kott 1991.  "Drug and Substances Abuse Among Egyptian Workers- Model Programmes for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Workers and their Families".

U.N. 1989b. Replies to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaires", 1989. Field Test Draft, 1990.

INCSR 1993.  International Narcotics Control Strategy Report.  United States Department of State.  Bureau of International Narcotics Matters.   April 1993.

ETHIOPIA
U.N. 1993.  Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaire" for the year 1993.

Forum 1993.  "Country Profile on Demand Reduction Forum in East and Southern Africa".  September, 1993.

Mission 1994.  "Mission to Ethiopia".  9-19 October 1994.  by George M. King, UNDCP Regional Law Enforcement Adviser.  Nairobi, Kenya.

Report 1991.  "Abuse of Drugs and Illicit Trafficking in Ethiopia". 1991.

GABON
Gabon 1992a.  "Presentation de la Situation de la Drogue au Gabon".  Premiere Reunion du Comite Technique de Lutte Anti-Drogue.  24- 30 Novembre 1992.  Brazzaville (CONGO).

Mounguengui 1990.  Dr. Mounguengui, Conseiller Technique du Ministre de la Sante. "Report to the conference on Drug abuse, Youth and the Society".  Libreville, 21 July 1990.

GHANA
U.N. 1993. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Report Questionnaires" for the year 1993.

Preventive Education 1992.  "Report on Workshop on Integration of Drug Education Into School Curriculum for Second Cycle Education Teachers".  Legon, Ghana.  January 3rd-10th, 1992.

MALI
* Facy and Delile 1990.  "Toxicomanes Pris en charge en Afrique: Enquךte Epidemiologique, Rיsultats provisoires".  Resultats Provisoires Juin 1990.

MAURITIUS
U.N. 1985, 1992, 1993. Replies to the UNDCP "Annual Report Questionnaires".

Mission 1993.  Join UNDCP/WHO/ILO Mission to Mauritius 19-26 April 1993.

MOROCCO
U.N. 1993. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaire" for the year 1993.

* Lamasouri 1993. Drogue, Adolescence et Milieu Scolaire.

NAMIBIA
U.N. 1991,1992. Replies to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaires" for the years 1991 and 1992.

NIGERIA
U.N. 1992, 1993. Replies to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaire" for the year 1992 and 1993.

Nigeria 1991. 1991 Drug Abuse Data Collection, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria.

RWANDA
U.N. 1990. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaire" for the year 1990.

CMO 1989. Reply to the questionnaire concerning the seven targets of the "Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Outline of Future Activities in Drug Abuse Control" (CMO) for the year 1989.

SENEGAL
Facy and Delile 1990. "Toxicomanies pris en charge en Afrique, enquךte יpidemiologique, rיsultats provisoires".

UNESCO 1988. "Consommation de drogue par les jeunes au Senegal", Rיsultats de l'enquךte יpidimiologique effectuיe au Sיnיgal sur la consomation de drogue parmi les 15 א 24 ans, UNESCO March 1988.

SOUTH AFRICA
U.N. 1993.  Reply to the UNDCP's annual reports questionnaires for the year 1993.

SUDAN
U.N. 1991. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaire" for the year 1991.

UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
U.N. 1991. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaires" for the year 1991.

UGANDA
U.N. 1991. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaires" for the year 1991.

ZAMBIA
U.N. 1990. Reply to the UNDCP "Annual Reports Questionnaires" for the year 1990.

ICPO 1993.  ICPO Report 42/93.

ZIMBABWE
Facy and Delile 1990.  "Toxicomanes Pris en charge en Afrique: Enquךte Epidemiologique, Rיsultats provisoires".  Resultats Provisoires Juin 1990. (See document is in Senegal box).