West Africa Drug Problem Intensifying

Crime and health problems in already unstable states are increasing and drugs are to blame. A recent Reuters report highlighted that West Africans are consuming more of the drugs trafficked between South America and Europe.

This region, an established transit point for Latin American cocaine to large Western markets, has become a drug processing site among rising addiction rates. Drug violence is expected to follow.

"A flourishing illicit trade in the hands of organized crime is obviously a threat to the rule of law, governance and, as a result, human rights," said Alexandre Schmidt, West African head for the U.N. Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in Reuters. "But we must no longer hide the indirect consequences with regard to the increase in problems linked to drug abuse."

According to the United Nations, some 20 tons of cocaine passed through West Africa in 2008, worth roughly $1 billion.

Warnings of things to come were shared during a meeting of seven West African governments who are seeking to implement declarations of intent to curb trafficking. They are relying on support from the United Nations, France and Spain.

The landing point for most of the cocaine is Guinea-Bissau. This region saw a strong of political assassinations that analysts way were linked the drug trade. It is also believed that the notoriously brutal military in neighboring Guinea were also involved.

Experts note there is clear evidence of a rise in local use of cocaine and crack. Citing research in Cape Verde, the region’s initial drug hot-spot, Margarete Molnar, a health specialist at UNODC, said drug use is entrenched in the region and among citizens.

"This shows that being on the route of trafficking is a disaster," she said. "(Law enforcement) may protect West Africa and Europe but I can tell you that in this region there are people who are hard drug users who need to be rehabilitated."