West Africa is witnessing a rapid shift from plant-based drugs to synthetic substances, including the non-medical use of tramadol, as well as fentanyl and emerging drug mixtures that remain difficult to identify and analyse. This evolving landscape is having a particularly significant impact on young people.
As part of its close collaboration with Côte d’Ivoire, the UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy Team for West and Central Africa launched its evaluation mission with a working session at the headquarters of the Comité Interministériel de Lutte Anti-Drogue (CILAD). CILAD serves as the host agency for ISSUP Côte d’Ivoire and is UNODC’s primary national counterpart in addressing the growing challenge of synthetic drugs.
This meeting marked an important step toward finalising a national assessment, supporting the gradual operationalisation of the Synthetic Drug Strategy and its four pillars, tailored to Côte d’Ivoire’s specific context and challenges.
Discussions highlighted key opportunities for strengthened cooperation, including:
- Improved data collection and analysis
- Enhanced forensic and laboratory capacity
- Reinforced law enforcement and criminal justice coordination
- Expanded evidence-based prevention and demand-reduction efforts
Over the past six months, CILAD has worked closely with UNODC to advance a coordinated and sustainable national response to synthetic drugs.
Source: UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy and CILAD Côte d’Ivoire.