UNOWAS-UNODC STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIP ON DRUGS
On 23 June 2026, Dakar hosted an international workshop organized by UNOWAS and UNODC on the theme: « The emergence of new drugs in Senegal: challenges and challenges for youth and security forces ». National authorities, regional organizations and youth representatives discussed the growing threats related to psychoactive substances and the responses to them.
The opening ceremony was marked by the H.E. Leonardo Santos SimãoSpecial Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Ms. Sylvie BertrandRegional Representative of UNODC, Jean Abossuwè AnadeRepresentative of GIABA, speaking on behalf of ECOWAS.
The Commissioner Idrissa Cissé, CILD National Coordinator, represented the Minister of Youth and Sports prevented. In his speech, he recalled that « our policy is clear: reducing the threat, reducing supply, reducing demand and reducing the impact on individuals, families and society ».
Jean Abossuwè Anade (ECOWAS) presented a regional vision of drug trafficking and its security implications. The Dr. Albert Gautier Ndione, a socio-anthropologist at UCAD, presented his research on user stigma and tensions between biomedicine and social experience. Ms. Assy Diamanka, Kolda youth representative, stressed the fragility of the social fabric and the need to involve youth in prevention policies.
Public health implications of drugs
The Commissioner Mody Fall (OCRTIS) detailed police strategies for new psychoactive substances. Jeffery Bawa (UNODC) stressed the United Nations commitment to prevention. Massène Papa Gueye, of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, pleaded for a young person who is an actress of political stability.
Finally, Sheikh Diop (CSID) defended an approach focused on public health and human rights. Two interactive workshops allowed participants to reflect on community-based prevention programmes and confidence-building mechanisms between youth and security forces. The conclusions highlighted the need for continuous dialogue and collective mobilisation.
H.E. Leonardo Santos Simão warned that « the proliferation of drug trafficking in Africa has turned into a multidimensional security crisis ». Ms. Sylvie Bertrand recalled that Africa accounts for 97% of global tramadol seizures between 2020 and 2024, stressing the urgency of an integrated approach combining law enforcement, prevention and public health.
Jean Abossuwè Anade (GIABA/ECDEAO) re-emphasized the debate in ECOWAS Vision 2050, stressing the need for « protect young people, disrupt criminal networks and deprive traffickers of their illicit profits ».
The workshop, organized as part of the National Awareness Week on Drug Abuse and Trafficking, laid the foundation for a lasting alliance between institutions, security forces and youth. In Dakar, on 23 June 2026, a clear message was launched: the fight against drugs can only succeed by combining repression, prevention and citizen engagement.
Mamadou SY
