EMSIKAR 5TH EDITION

p a r t from cannabis abuse in northern and
A
o u t h e r n Africa and khat chewing in north-
s
a s t e r n Africa, the history of drug abuse in
e
f r i c a is relatively short. The abuse of drugs
A
n Africa is nevertheless escalating rapidly
i
r o m cannabis abuse to the more dangerous
f
r u g s and from limited groups of drug
d
s e r s to a wider range of people abusing
u
r u g s. The most common and available
d
r u g of abuse is still cannabis, which is
d
n o w n to be a contributing factor to the
k
c c u r r e n c e of a schizophrenic-like
o
s y c h o s i s. The trafficking in and abuse of
p
o c a i n e and heroin are the most recent
c
e v e l o p ments in some African countries
d
h a t had had no previous experience with
t
f f o r t s should be made to design and
E
mplement drug abuse assessment
i
r o g r a mmes to determine the real
p
and characteristics of the
magnitude
r o b l e m and to monitor its trends. A lack of
p
u n d s and a shortage of adequately trained
f
e r s o n n e l have made it difficult to
p
mplement drug abuse control
i
n addition to formal drug control
I
n v o l v i n g the implementation of legislation,
i
h e r e is an informal system of drug abuse
t
o n t r o l operating through the family,
c
h u r c h, school, neighbourhood and work
c
n v i r o n ment, as well as healthy
e
e c r e a t i o n a l activities. It is suggested that
r
f f o r t s in African countries should be
e
i r e c t e d towards strengthening not only
d
h e formal drug control system but also
t
n f o r mal control in order to compensate for
i
h e insufficient funds and the shortage of
t
e r s o n n e l trained in implementing formal
p
r u g control measures. It is very likely that
d
h e drug problems in African countries will
t
o r s e n in future unless more effective
w
are implemented to arrest the
measures
u r r e n t situation.
c
H E A L T H
D A N G E R S
O F D R U G
U S E
t h e s e drugs.
p r o g r a mmes.
E M S I K A R | H E A L T H