Sub-Saharan Africa

Publications18 January 2023

The Cape Declaration on decriminalising poverty and status

Participants convened by the Campaign to Decriminalise Poverty and Status outline the harms of criminalisation for marginalised groups and call for urgent action to curb them through legal reforms, further research and funding for civil society.

News13 December 2022

Time for a humane and radical rethink on drug policy in South Africa

As South Africa lags far behind with harm reduction services compared to other countries in the region, wide-ranging reforms are needed to improve access to essential medicines, confront funding gaps and stop coercion into 'treatment'.

Publications12 December 2022

Zimbabwe situational analysis of drug use in five provinces to inform HIV and TB programming for people who use drugs

This publication provides insights into patterns of drug use, levels of knowledge and risk perception on HIV, HCV and TB, as well as barriers and facilitators to access related programmes.

News30 November 2022

Kenya: Review policy to address the youth drug addiction

Repressive approaches invariably target people from lower socio-economic status, perpetuating poverty and exclusion.

Publications29 November 2022

The socio-economic context of entry and exit from retail drug dealing: Exploring the narratives of Nigerian dealers

Ediomo-Ubong Nelson sheds light on motivations to enter the retail drug trade as well as enduring barriers to exit it.

News10 October 2022

South Africa: Criminalising children for cannabis use unconstitutional – ConCourt

The case and ruling were triggered after four children were set to undergo a compulsory residential diversion programme following a school-sanctioned drug test.

Events

Policing and vulnerability in Africa - Advanced human rights course,

Online

4 September 2022 - 8 September 2022

The course seeks to build a community of practitioners in the continent who can become active advocates for increase accountability of the police.

News1 September 2022

Ghana's legal cannabis hits a constitutional roadblock

Ghana's recent drug law reform goes back to the floor for amendments, offering an opportunity to further its alignment with human rights and social inclusion.

News1 September 2022

Pondoland: South Africa's cannabis growers left behind by legalisation plans

Small growers urge the government to facilitate their access to the nascent market, including through technical assistance.

Events

14th Biennial International Conference on Drugs, Alcohol and Society in Africa

Abuja, Nigeria

25 October 2022 - 26 October 2022

the context of a growing demand for the modernization of the international drug control system, the major theme of the 2022 conference is “Towards the Reform of Drug Law and Policy in Africa: Research, Practice and Advocacy Considerations”.

News31 August 2022

Licensing of medicinal cannabis: ZCLDN calls for alignment of laws in Zimbabwe

As the legalisation of medical cannabis is celebrated, calls are heard for the alignment of other drug laws according to international human rights, including the facilitating of access to health and harm reduction services.

Blog3 August 2022

Toward accountability and redress: Launch of the report on torture and ill-treatment of people who use drugs in Nigeria

The launch of the report brought together over 60 representatives from civil society, community networks and public authorities, prompting a discussion on the need to end rights-violating practices against people who use drugs.

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