West and Central Africa faces “disruptive and destabilising” new trends regarding drug trafficking, drug use and other crimes, warned Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). “UNODC is registering new alarming trends on drug trafficking in West and Central Africa with disruptive and destabilizing effects on governance, security, economic growth, and public health,” said Mr. Fedotov, in a briefing to the Security Council Wednesday via VTC. The head of UNODC noted increasing transiting of opiates through West Africa, en route to European and North American markets. According to the UN agency, West and Central Africa, along with North Africa, accounts for 87 per cent of all pharmaceutical opiates – derived from opium poppies – seized globally. Only one in 18 drug users with addiction issues, have access to medical treatment.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 20, 2018 15:11 UTC