ANALYSIS BY REGIONS
AFRICA
E/CN.7/594 page 3
A.
Extent, patterns and trends of drug abuse by countries and territories
ALGERIA There are some persons in the 30-50 age group who smoke cannabis, but it is estimated that the number of cannabis abusers is very low.
1.
2. CAMEROON There is abuse of cannabis although its extent cannot be estimated. Cannabis is smoked and it is thought by the authorities that it produces aggressive behaviour. The amount of cannabis seized during the last years is increasing.
3. THE GAMBIA 5/ There is abuse of cannabis and particularly of amphetamines by school children and students between 15 and 25 years of age.
4. GHANA It is estimated that some 500 persons smoke cannabis. Abuse of cannabis is associated with criminal behaviour.
5. KENYA Barbiturates, cannabis and opiates (among old persons) are abused although the number of persons taking them has not been estimated. Cannabis, which grows wild in the country, appears to be the main drug problem.
6.
LESOTHO 5 Cannabis smoking is traditional, but a new phenomenon has appeared consisting in the abuse of cannabis by hundreds of school children. The main problems associated with the abuse of cannabis are psycho-social disruptions which sometimes require psychiatric intervention.
7. MADAGASCAR Some sixty persons have been treated at the Psychiatric Hospital of Ambohidratrimo for abuse of cannabis, either taken alone or in combination with alcohol. Most of the abusers were between 21 and 40 years of age and unemployed. The amount of cannabis seized and the number of persons prosecuted for cannabis offences have increased since 1974.
8.
MAURITIUS The main drugs abused are cannabis and opium. A few persons have abused pethidine, morphine, barbiturates and methaqualone. The principal problems associated with drug abuse are social and behavioural in character. Drugs are often taken in combination.
9. MOROCCO No information is provided concerning the abuse of drugs in this country. Indicators show that the amount of drugs seized (over 200 000 kg of cannabis in 1975) and the number of persons involved in drug offences (more than 1 400 persons arrested) has increased tremendously over the last years.
10.
NIGER The authorities are concerned about the abuse of amphetamines, barbiturates and cannabis. These drugs are often taken in combination, the most frequent combinations being barbiturates with cannabis or alcohol. Deviant behaviour amongst school children, traffic accidents by truck drivers and loss of job productivity are the main problems associated with their abuse.
5 Annual report for 1974.