Togo: Ministry of Youth Announces Measures to Tackle Drug Abuse

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Wednesday, 13 September 2023 16:38
Togo: Ministry of Youth Announces Measures to Tackle Drug Abuse

(Togo First) - Last weekend, Togo's Comité de réflexion sur la stratégie intégrée de lutte contre la drogue et les substances psychoactives chez les jeunes (Committee for Reflection on the integrated strategy to combat drugs and psychoactive substances among young people) announced several measures to protect the country's youth against addictions. The measures include air and land border controls, and banning the sale and consumption of drugs, shisha, and psychotropics at the municipal level.

The ad hoc committee also plans to regulate access to social networks, especially online sales, and to deploy law enforcement officers around schools to deter drug dealers.

The planned initiatives should enable children to grow up in a healthy environment, reduce the risks of drug abuse, and prevent young people from becoming addicts and victims of organized crime, violent extremism, or terrorism.

In the same framework, "the fight against drugs will be better coordinated". In addition, “evidence-based education and prevention programs targeting youth, families, and communities will be implemented", added Kossi Amayi, chairman of the committee.

According to the Ministry of Grassroots Development, the upcoming measures are prompted by the results of the "West African Epidemiological Network Drug Use (WENDU)" research. The study, which covers the ECOWAS region, found that most people being treated for drug addiction in Togo are aged between 20 and 39.

Esaïe Edoh

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