Researchers predict that harm from substance use and rates of substance use disorders in sub-Saharan Africa will increase significantly in the next 30 years.

In order to have a well-functioning health system that works in harmony, the World Health Organization (WHO)describes the need for the following features:

• trained and motivated health workers,
• a well-maintained infrastructure
• a reliable supply of medicines and technologies,
• the backing of adequate funding with strong health plans and evidence-based policies.

This review shines the spotlight on Kenya with the aim to provide an...

This is the first report of the Pan-African Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (PAENDU) and is based on available data for 2016 and 2017.

The report provides information on the methods used for data collection and presents data on drug demand reduction, especially treatment demand indicators, and also on law enforcement (arrests and seizures). 

The report is a summary of the information provided by focal points from the following nine (9) AUC project countries: Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zambia; and six countries, with data from pre-existing...

Abstract

Background

The burden of substance use disorders in sub-Saharan Africa has been projected to increase by an estimated 130% by 2050. Despite this, little is known about the substance use disorder treatment and prevention systems in the region.

Objectives

The objective of this review is to describe the public sector substance use disorder treatment and prevention systems in Kenya guided by the World Health Organization health systems framework model, with the aim of informing decision-making.

Methods

We reviewed official government documents obtained from hand...

On entering the Decade of Action 2030, UNODC recognizes the need to increase efforts in Africa. UNODC proposes adopting a ‘business unusual’ approach in order to support Africa towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and priority goals of the African Union Agenda 2063. UNODC pledges to work with Africa to better address a significant number of issues critical for Africa’s stability, safety, security and health and to leave no one behind.

As communicated by Executive Director, Ms. Ghada Waly, during Africa Day in May 2020, UNODC is developing its Strategic Vision for Africa 2020...

In partnership with UNODC Prevention Treatment and Rehabilitation section and the ‘Comite Interministeriel de Lutte Contre la drogue (CILD)” of Senegal, UNODC hosted a webinar training on ways to ensure a continuum of care and services to people who use drugs during the COVID19 pandemic.

Twenty three officials from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, CILD and various community based and civil society organizations in Senegal participated in a two hour long conversation during which experts from Senegal, France and Switzerland shared their experiences with maintaining treatment...

On 04 June 2020, UNODC - PTRS with the support of ISSUP and in coordination with the Interministerial Committee on Drug Fighting (CILAD) and the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene of Côte d'Ivoire, successfully supported an experiment exchange webinar on continuity of treatment and care services for people with drug-related disorders under COVID-19.

The purpose of this webinar is to prepare centres, services and community organization working with people who use drugs and drug use disorders to ensure continuity of treatment services in the context of COVID-19 and an exchange of...

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA) supports Kenyan counties in COVID-19 prevention efforts for key and most vulnerable populations. In the spirit of leaving no one behind, acknowledging the increased infection risks of people who use and inject drugs, including those in prison settings, an in an effort to be COVID-19 responsive, UNODC focused its technical and financial support to expand the range existing and new services offered by UNODC to these populations. 

UNODC provided prevention equipment and commodities to ensure that...

Webinar on good mental health care practices in the context of COVID-19.

In 2018, Mombasa planned to set up a methadone programme for heroin injecting drug users living in prisons. As a follow up, UNODC worked together with the County of Mombasa and the Kenya Prison Service in 2019, to support and expand Medically Assisted Therapy (MAT) service provision to the prison population. 

Understanding that people in prison settings who use MAT services in the public-dedicated clinic could be unnecessarily put at risk of infection, and in the context of the COVID-19 mitigation and prevention measures implemented country-wise, UNODC collaborated with the Kenya Prison...