West Africa Commission on Drugs

The West Africa Commission on Drugs was launched by the Kofi Annan Foundation in 2014. Olusegun Obasanjo chaired the commission.

Obasanjo urged strengthening law enforcement and refocussing efforts on "high-level criminals rather than the easy – and misleading – wins gained by arresting drug users and petty dealers."[1]

It produced a report “Not Just in Transit: Drugs, the State and Society in West Africa” which was launched in Dakar, Senegal on 11 September 2018.[2] The report urged West African governments to overhaul their drug laws to decriminalise personal use and prioritise treatment. Abuse of opioids, particularly Tramadol has become a major health crisis in the region.[3]

The commission proposed a detailed Model Drug Law which would end all criminal penalties relating to personal drug use and possession. This would allow law enforcement efforts to focus on unauthorised drug production and trafficking offences.[4]

It is suggested that Ghana may become the first Sub-Saharan country to decriminalise personal drug use and possession.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "West Africa needs to wake up to threat from drugs trade". Guardian. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  2. ^ "Civil Society workshop on drug policy opens". GNA. Business Ghana. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  3. ^ "Olusegun Obasanjo urges West Africa to decriminalise drugs". Times Live. 11 September 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Expert Group Publish Blueprint for West Africa Drug Decriminalisation". Talking drugs. 11 September 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  5. ^ "West Africa reform agenda looks to decriminalise drug use". Daily Maverick. 9 August 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
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