In yet another dramatic development for minoritised communities in Uganda —still reeling from the shock of the 

, on 2nd February 2024 the President signed the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) bill into law, another draconian piece of legislation that threatens the health and wellbeing of Ugandans. 

The Anti-Homosexuality Act imposes life imprisonment and even death for those convicted of homosexuality and ‘aggravated homosexuality’, whereas the Narcotics Law penalises the possession of illegal drugs with over 15 years in prison (and life imprisonment for people involved in supply). These laws target marginalised groups who are already made disproportionately vulnerable to the harms associated with drug use, HIV, and other illnesses. Instead of promoting much-needed access to support and care, the new law pushes these communities away from health and social services that are essential to manage drug dependence, prevent HIV transmission and AIDS, and support people to be well and live productive lives. Also concerningly, these laws are emboldening parts of Ugandan society to justify violence and exclusion. As such, both laws amount to an assault on public health and, if implemented, will result in dramatic increases in imprisonment, with detrimental knock-on effects not only on those criminalised but all Ugandans.

The law’s proposed stiff penalties on people who use drugs will also drive them further underground, making access to health and justice an even greater obstacle course. Recent data by the Uganda Police indicate that every year there are approximately 3,000 cases related to narcotics recorded. It is widely known that contact with the criminal justice system greatly depends on police discretion. People who use drugs tend to be arrested based on their appearance and the assumption that they are perpetrators of harm and deleterious social habits. As such, greater punishment spells intensified stigma and arbitrariness in the application of the law.

The Uganda Harm Reduction Network’s preliminary analysis of the new law identifies a range of challenges, including the criminalisation of the possession of plants and substances (including cannabis and khat), as well as the possession of drug use utensils, which are essential for harm reduction. Hefty fines and/or long imprisonment for victimless behaviours could become the norm.

The Act perpetuates and intensifies the criminalisation of people who use drugs, prioritising criminal justice responses over care and assistance. In this way, the new law threatens the provision and access to harm reduction services and fuels health risks among people who use drugs in all their diversity. Furthermore, the threat of punishment has spread fear and will further drive community members underground, impeding important civic organising and democratic accountability.

It is based on this background that the Uganda Harm Reduction Network, the national network of people who use drugs in Uganda calls for international partners that give support to Uganda, including the European Union, UN agencies (e.g. UNODC, UNAIDS, WHO, UNDP), the Global Fund, PEPFAR/CDC, civil society organisations (e.g. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch), and all bilateral and multi-lateral development partners to publicly condemn these draconian pieces of legislation that impose long term imprisonment to already marginalised communities of people who use drugs.Communities experiencing state violence and neglect need access to health care services, not incarceration.

We also urge our government to support embrace and fulfil the principle of 

committing to withdraw these pieces of legislation and initiate a process of consultation and redrafting that involves affected communities and service providers.

For more information visit the links below:

New narcotics law is going to increase apprehension

Expert: new Narcotics bill risks exacerbating drug-addiction issue

Anti-Homosexuality Act starts to bite as NGOs operate on edge

Uganda's new Narcotics Law will undermine access to healthcare for people who use drugs

Against the backdrop of increasing recognition of the failures of prohibitionist approaches to drug policy, Ghana’s legislative framework on drugs was radically reformed in 2020, introducing legislative alternatives to incarceration for drug possession for use. While the changes represent a beginning in the process of moving away from past failures and toward a future with a more evidence-based, human rights- and public health-centred approach to drugs, Ghana’s new legislation requires further review in order to align with emerging best practice.

Decriminalise drug use, in alignment with the West Africa Commission on Drugs’ Model Drug Law for West Africa.

Define appropriate quantity thresholds to differentiate possession for use and possession for supply.

Move away from mandated, court-referred rehabilitation orders.

Education and sensitisation of the provisions of the new law must be scaled up.

States should adopt an explicit and clearly defined public health approach to drugs, including psychosocial interventions.

A clear architecture for the implementation of harm reduction approaches in line with WHO guidelines should be introduced.

Remove mandatory minimum sentences for trafficking offences, while maintaining maximum ceilings.

Implement alternatives to punishment for low-level actors beyond people who use drugs in the drug trade.

Contributions from civil society organisations and other non-state actors should be welcomed.

Systematic data collection must be integrated into drug policies

New approaches to regulating drugs in West Africa: exploring the impact of Ghana’s drug policy reform

Ghana: Law students urged to guard against inimical drug policies, legislations

Accra, Jan. 30, GNA – Ghanaian Law students have been urged to help prevent drug policies, measures and legislations that work against the rehabilitation of substance abusers. 

The students were asked to not only play roles in the prevention of the use and circulation of drugs (cocaine, marijuana, tramadol, etc.) but also be critical of incarceration of abusers and lack of rehabilitation centres. 

The call was made by drug policies and legislations advocates at a day’s hybrid workshop for tertiary students and faculty members in Ghana by POS Foundation on the theme: “Substance Use and Prevention: A Comparative Dialogue between Ghana and the USA’s Drug Policy.” 

Participating universities were GIMPA Law School, Ghana, Adler University, Chicago, Illinois and Columbia University, New York and Fordham University, New York and Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) with the students sharing their perspectives.

Madam Maria-Goretti Ane Loglo, Lawyer and IDPC Consultant for Africa, said the people languishing in jail because of drug use had been the younger population, a situation we had to avert because there had been lack of jobs to engage them.

“As a country we also need to revisit the fines given to offenders. The fines are very high and many of the people cannot afford. The State must resource the Fund to help in rehabilitation and put up rehabilitation centres that are accessible and less expensive,” she said

Ghana: Law students urged to guard against inimical drug policies

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to you with great concern regarding the proposed Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Bill that is currently under your consideration.

As a concerned citizen deeply invested in the well-being and progress of our beloved Uganda through the Uganda Harm Reduction Network (UHRN), I am compelled to express my apprehensions and urge you to desist from signing this bill into law.

While I understand the importance of addressing the challenges posed by drug abuse and trafficking, I am concerned that certain provisions in the proposed bill may have unintended consequences for individual freedoms, public health, and the overall development of our society.

The global community has increasingly recognized the need for balanced and evidence-based drug policies that prioritize harm reduction, rehabilitation, and human rights. According to the Uganda police annual report of 2022, 2,797 cases of narcotics/ drugs were reported countrywide, yet of that figure, 1,816 cases were taken to court and only 367 cases secured convictions, most of which were minor offences.

By measure of the Penal Code Act, an offence that attracts such paltry convictions needs deeper scrutiny to find ways of reducing them rather than rolling out tough laws that may be detrimental.

So, the concept of decreasing harm should be important to public policy, yet expressly trying to remove drug-related harms through legislation has never worked in drug control anywhere in the world. In passing the bill, parliament has an assumption that all drug use is ‘abuse’ and that only immediate abstinence is acceptable.

This is counterproductive and prevents harm reduction from being a drug policy priority. So, I respectfully request you, Mr President, consider the following points before making any decisions on the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Bill:

Some provisions in the bill may pose a threat to individual privacy and freedom. It is crucial to ensure that any legislation preserves and protects the fundamental rights of Ugandan citizens.

As a result, criminalizing drug use may dissuade people from seeking medical care for drug-related health problems, infringing on their right to health. Punitive measures can stymie harm reduction attempts by making it harder for people to get clean needles, overdose prevention measures, and other health services.

Emphasizing rehabilitation and treatment over punitive measures has proven to be more effective in addressing drug-related issues. Investing in healthcare, education and support services can contribute significantly to reducing the demand for illicit substances.

What we need are diversion programs that redirect people who use drugs away from the criminal justice system into community-based rehabilitation programs. In fact, from my experience at UHRN, such centres further need to be allocated resources and protection to provide accessible and evidence-based treatment for individuals with substance use disorders.

It would be beneficial to align the proposed legislation with international best practices in drug policy. Learning from the experiences of other nations can help in crafting effective and humane policies.

So, since harm reduction approaches aim to minimize the negative consequences associated with drug use, engaging in open and inclusive consultations with various stakeholders, including health professionals, legal experts, civil society organizations and affected communities, is crucial to ensuring a comprehensive and well-informed approach to drug policy.

Mr President, you may not be aware but people who inject drugs need access to clean needles and syringes to reduce the transmission of blood-borne infections, such as HIV/Aids and hepatitis.

I also wish to inform you that organizations such as UHRN regularly conduct public awareness campaigns and educational programs to disseminate information about the risks associated with drug use, safer consumption practices, and harm reduction strategies. These outreach programs have saved hundreds of thousands of people who inject drugs.

Therefore, it is on this background that I advocate for a law that prioritizes public health over punitive measures, decriminalizing personal drug use and possession while focusing on diversion and treatment options.

Mr President, I understand the challenges you face in addressing complex issues such as drug abuse and trafficking. However, I believe that a balanced and evidence-based approach will be more successful in achieving the desired outcomes without compromising the rights and well-being of our citizens.

I appreciate your attention to this matter and trust that you will give due consideration to the concerns I have raised. Your leadership in promoting policies that prioritize the health, welfare, and human rights of our people will undoubtedly contribute to the continued prosperity of our great nation.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Uganda: Dear Mr President, here’s my appeal to resist signing the Narcotic bill

 Wednesday, 24th January, 2024 - 12:00 (New York) / 17:00 (GMT)

 GIMPA Green Hill Campus, School of Law, Accra - Ghana / 

 (Room will be open in advance to start on time).

Join this very special workshop where students come together to learn and share ideas about substance use and prevention. We'll be comparing how each country approaches their drug policies. It's a unique opportunity for cross-cultural understanding and collaborative learning.

Drug policy reform: A comparative dialogue between Ghana and the USA

There has been a growing concern about the misuse of pharmaceutical opioids in Africa, with some commentators describing it as part of a “global opioid crisis” (e.g. Kurth et al., 2018), ignoring the socio-historical peculiarities and contextually distinct materializations of these public health crises. Scholars have challenged this broad-brush approach through critical commentaries and original research (Klein et al., 2020; Klantschnig and Dele-Adedeji, 2021). Others have argued that conflating these distinct crises “blocks the path to rational regulatory reforms and public health strategies that could constructively address each crisis on its own terms” (Pettus and Radbruch, 2023, p. 2). A notable outcome of the global crisis narrative, according to Klantschnig and Dele-Adedeji (2021), and crucially for the purpose of this Special Issue, is the increased focus on the tramadol economy in Africa. The narrative has stirred political interests and enforcement-based responses across the continent and among international drug control agencies, who view the crisis as a “drugs” problem that should be addressed with law enforcement and bureaucratic controls (Klein et al., 2020). However, the wider social and structural drivers of opioids consumption on the continent are neglected, and the potential impacts of restrictive controls on health care remain poorly understood. This Special Issue aims to fill these knowledge gaps.

Tinasti and Outleb analyse opioid regulation in Morocco, showing how recent restrictive regulations are influenced by international frameworks and how they affect access to opioid analgesics for pain management and palliative care, as well as opioid agonist therapy. Ane-Loglo examines tramadol regulation in Ghana and six other African countries, showing how they impact the medical use of tramadol. Although tramadol is essential for managing pain in these countries, existing regulatory frameworks hinder access to these medicines. Onyima documents how street-involved young men in a south-eastern Nigerian city obtain opioids from street drug dealers and pharmacies and consume them by sniffing, popping and mixing tramadol with other drugs. These practices emerged in response to the threat of formal control. Nwafor and colleagues show how manual labourers in two south-eastern Nigerian cities consume tramadol to improve energy for work, pain relief and sexual performance. These consumption practices are contextualized by difficult working conditions and low access to pain management. Nelson and colleagues show how strict measures imposed by the Nigerian state on opioid supply due to public concerns about non-medical use among youth did not mitigate this practice. Instead, it constrains access to opioids for medical purposes and fuel police corruption. Dele-Adedeji and colleagues show how social relationships facilitate the illegal tramadol market in Nigeria, enabling market actors to resolve frictions between illegality and the social acceptability of tramadol. Last, but not the least, Otu and colleagues describe how domestic and international politics shape opioid control in Nigeria, reproducing punitive approaches that hinder access to opioids for medical purposes.

An overview of legal and policy barriers to opioid analgesics access and opioid agonist therapy in Morocco

Tramadol control measures and supply for health-care services: findings from Ghana and other West African countries

Prescription opioids, consumption cultures and “informal governing images” among “young street guys” in Nigeria

“It worked for my friend”: non-medical use of tramadol among manual labourers in Anambra state, Nigeria


Chidozie Edwin Nwafor, Chukwuemeka Felix A. Okoye, Nelson I. Nwankwo, Paschal Chukwuma Ugwu

Tramadol regulation, illegal markets and consumption practices: exploring frictions of drug control in Nigeria


Ediomo-Ubong Nelson, Ogochukwu Winifred Odeigah, Emeka W. Dumbili

Resolving friction in the tramadol economy in Nigeria


Ini Dele-Adedeji, Lala Ireland, Gernot Klantschnig

Beyond evidence and reality: the politics, political economy and fallout of hawkish regulatory policy on prescription drugs in Nigeria


Smart E. Otu, Macpherson Uchenna Nnam, Mary Juachi Eteng, Ijeoma Mercy Amugo, Babatunde Michel Idowu

Drinking to cope and college grade point average


Morgan A. Douglass, Madison L. Colley, Alexander J. Tyskiewicz, Mark A. Prince

Ayahuasca ceremonies: set and setting features across Italy and Colombia


Federica Ambrosini, Laura Pariset, Roberta Biolcati

Family ties: examining family functioning and alcohol use among American Indian youth


Morgan A. Douglass, Meghan A. Crabtree, Linda R. Stanley, Randall C. Swaim, Mark A. Prince

Frictions in drug control: prescription opioids, prohibition and consumption cultures in Africa

We are pleased to invite you to participate in the 

Africa regional civil society consultation

Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) Mid-term review in 2024

 in the margins of the African Union High-level conference on addressing substance use and related mental health disorders, which will be held in Lusaka, Zambia, from 08 to 10 November 2023.

You can join the consultation either online or in person, depending on your preference, availability and resources.

The CND Mid-term review is a process that aims to assess the implementation of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration on strengthening actions at the national, regional and international levels to accelerate the implementation of joint commitments to address and counter the world drug problem. The review will also identify challenges and gaps, as well as best practices and lessons learned, in order to inform future actions and strategies.

Please note that those wishing to participate in-person 

 to cover all costs related to the meeting, such as travel, accommodation or internet access. You are encouraged to seek the support of your organization.

If you are interested in participating in this consultation, 

please fill out this online registration form by 14 October 2023

. You will receive a confirmation email with further details and instructions on how to join the consultation.

Africa civil society regional consultation in the lead up to the CND mid-term review

It was my first time visiting South Africa. My first impressions about the country were mixed. I was astonished by the abundance of natural beauty. Table Mountain, a sacred site for the original inhabitants of this land, dominates the landscape, with a splendid view from the top to the meeting point of two oceans. But I was also shocked by the extreme social inequalities that are very much visible as you cross the town. I have seen inequality before but nowhere so sharp and definite than in South Africa. I learned later that it is the most unequal society on Earth.

Even though Apartheid may be officially over, the poverty line (often but not always corresponding with the colour line) divides society. There are those who have – and those who have not. Those who have protect their property with barbed wire, CCTV, security guards, and high fences. And those who have nothing often sleep on the street, a few blocks from the luxury palaces and hotels of the rich, unprotected and exposed to extreme cold and heat, to hunger and sickness, to unhealed wounds and unprocessed childhood trauma.

It is a no brainer that drug use is very polarised, just like everywhere else in the world where society is so unequal.. The upper and middle-classes use good quality drugs, mostly to relax, to play, and to enhance pleasure. They are rarely bothered by the police, they have access to good health care, and they have a strong social network that holds them even when they lose control. But those who were born on the wrong side of the poverty line often use cheaper and lower quality substances to forget and ease the pain and desperation of everyday life. They are often arrested by police, get imprisoned, and experience discrimination at all levels of health and social care.

For a long time, the response of South Africa to illicit drugs was very one-dimensional: tough law enforcement and abstinence-based treatment. But as we learned, inevitable social change forces its way forward, thanks to the unwavering efforts of civil society. In the past ten years, peer activists, professional service providers, and researchers, with the support of international donors, were able to set up the first harm reduction programs, including opioid agonist treatment sites. The Constitutional Court, in its 2018 judgement, found that criminalisation of cannabis (or dagga, as locals call it) use and cultivation for personal use is unconstitutional. Decriminalisation of sex work is on the agenda of the parliament.

In our movie we salute the courage and creativity of SANPUD, the 

, a community-driven organisation that is an inspiration and a beacon of hope not only in Africa but for us, living in other parts of the world.

Text and interviews: Péter Sárosi
Video: István Gábor Takács

Putting People First - The Africa Policy Week 2023 in a snapshot

Organised by Dejusticia, Drug Policy Alliance, the European Network of People who Use Drugs (EuroNPUD), GAT Portugal, the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), the Manas Grupo de Apoio Mútuo project, Release, the South African Network of People who Use Drugs (SANPUD), the Support. Don't Punish campaign & TalkingDrugs

 Tuesday, 3 October - 10:00 (Bogotá) / 11:00 (New York) / 16:00 (London / Lisbon) / 17:00 (Cape Town) - 

The fight for drug decriminalisation is at a critical juncture. Historically championed by community-led organisations and civil society, the movement to remove criminal penalties for activities related to drug use has gained momentum as an increasing number of jurisdictions around the world embrace this legal framework. Crucially, the 

United Nations system recently threw its weight behind decriminalisation

, signalling a global shift in perspective. However, this progress is not without its challenges. In certain regions, reactionary responses point fingers at decriminalisation for the fallout of failing systems of care and social protection, endangering its broader acceptance. Adding complexity to this landscape, most of the 

 where decriminalisation is currently in practice have adopted models that counterproductively perpetuate surveillance, control and punitive measures within a system intended to foster autonomy and wellbeing. Moreover, these models often fall short in allocating the necessary resources for the crucial infrastructure of support that decriminalisation is meant to facilitate access to.

 map, as well as from the experiences and insights of colleagues from across the globe, this event seeks to dispel myths surrounding decriminalisation and showcase exemplary practices. Importantly, it embraces a critical perspective on decriminalisation not to undermine its progress or capitulate to prohibitionist orthodoxies but rather to refine and further enhance this framework in service of our communities.

Juan Fernández Ochoa, International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC)

André Belchior Gomes, Release & TalkingDrugs - United Kingdom

Theshia Naidoo, Drug Policy Alliance - United States

Joana Canêdo, European Network of People who Use Drugs (EuroNPUD) & Manas Grupo de Apoio Mútuo - Portugal

Angela McBride, South African Network of People Who Use Drugs (SANPUD) - South Africa

In defence of decriminalisation —a baseline upon which to build sustainable drug policy

On August 22, 2023, parliament passed the contentious Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Bill. However, the full enactment of this legislation awaits the assent of President Museveni.

The passing of this bill has already ignited widespread controversy, particularly concerning the various clauses that prescribe severe penalties for the possession and distribution of banned narcotics.

Twaibu Wamala, the executive director of the Uganda Harm Reduction Network (UHRN), is a critic of the bill and asserts that it falls short of effectively addressing the underlying issues associated with drug addiction. In an interview with Geofrey Serugo, he says punitive laws alienate people from crucial health and social services.

Uganda: New Narcotics Bill risks exacerbating 'drug-addiction issue'

Prior to the Africa Policy Week in Cape Town, South Africa; IDPC, SANPUD and Drugreporter organised Video and Media Advocacy Training in the city.

The young drug reform activists arrived from Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. Unfortunately two participants from Nigeria were denied their visas at the last minute, and could not take part in the event.

Between August 9-12, The video training, held by István Gábor Takács covered the topics of video advocacy theory, gear, camera handling and composition, interviewing techniques, and editing. On the second day, with the help of 

, trainees could visit a harm reduction drop in centre and an outreach program, where they could practise their newly acquired videography and interviewing skills. On the third and fourth day they used each other’s footage to learn editing on the trial version of Premiere Pro CC 2023, using rented laptops. There were giveaways as well: They got a clip-on microphone that works with both cameras and phones, and a pen-drive that included useful resources such as all the presentations, videos, and background materials from the course, as well as free editing software and editing tutorials. By the end of the course, almost all of them produced their own first video.

Sub-Saharan Africa