NCJ Number
132958
Journal
International Criminal Police Review Issue: 429 Dated: (March-April 1991) Pages: 30-34
Date Published
1991
Length
5 pages
Annotation
In the early 1980's, Africa became affected by large-scale trafficking in psychotropic substances initially produced in Europe, but later in India.
Abstract
The emergence of this phenomenon was the result of various internal and external factors: prevalence of self-medication in response to inadequate health services in most African countries; initial unfamiliarity of police and customs services with substances governed by administrative regulations; failure of pharmaceutical manufacturers to observe provisions of the 1971 convention on psychotropic substances; weaknesses in the organization and technical resources of African government departments responsible for controlling such products; and failure to ratify the 1971 convention by many African countries. Since 1980, Interpol has been making efforts to counter trafficking in psychotropic substances. These efforts have concentrated on training police and customs officers and officials in administrative services, campaigns to make operational departments aware of the problem, and coordination of law enforcement actions. Trafficking in stimulants such as amphetamines and depressants in West and Central Africa and in Southeastern and North Africa is discussed. Methods used by traffickers are described, especially the transport and concealment of psychotropic substances. The article also examines the abuse of psychotropic substances, economic effects on African societies, and structural and legislative countermeasures.