ambassador olawale maiyegun, phd director, department of social affairs african union commission...

Ambassador Olawale Maiyegun, PhDDirector, Department of Social Affairs

African Union Commission Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

1AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS

AFRICAN UNIONPLAN OF ACTION ON

DRUG CONTROL (2013-2017):A Strategic Framework to Guide

Drug Policy Development in Africa

1. Background and Context

2. Strategic Approach

3. Fundamental Goal and Expected Outcomes

4. 2013-2014 Priority Areas

5. Rolling out AUPA / Progress

6. Conclusion2

AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS

Outline of Presentation

AU Plan of Action (2013-2017) was developed to respond to emerging challenges associated with drug control and crime prevention; and follows a balanced and integrated approach to drug control.

Endorsed by Ministers in Charge of Drug Control and Crime Prevention in October 2012.

Adopted by the AU Executive Council vide Decision EX.CL/Dec743(XXII) during the Jan 2013 Assembly of Heads of State.


Background & Context

• Current Continental Drug Challenges

• Health & Social Consequences of Drug Use

• Impact of Drug Trafficking on Democratic Governance and Armed Conflict

• Nexus between Organized Crime, Corruption and Terrorism


Background & Context

Noting:Context of rapid socio-economic changes: growing youth urban population, poverty, instability, exposure to violence, difficult job conditions, work overload, post-traumatic stress disorders, & neglect & abuse

Challenges to the effective implementation of the AU Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention (2007-2012)


Background & Context cont’d

Two pronged operational approach:

• Premised on strong political commitment: application of principles by Members States, RECS, AUC & its institutions

• Operationally-oriented strategic framework for coordination and harmonisation of related policies and programmes


Strategic Approach

At implementation level:

• Seeks to strengthen continental and international cooperation and responses

• Creates synergies with existing African Union Commission initiatives to address organised crime


Strategic Approach

• Grounded on the three international Drug Control Treaties that form the basis of the international drug control system

• Implementation levels, required partnerships and reporting requirements clearly outlined

• Due regard given to a resource mobilisation plan


Strategic Approach

Fundamental Goal

To improve the health, security and socio-economic well-being of people in Africa by reducing drug use, illicit trafficking and associated crimes


Goal and Outcomes

1. Continental, regional and national management, oversight, reporting and evaluation of the AUPA enhanced

2. Evidence-based services scaled up to address the health and social impact of drug use in Member States


Expected Outcomes

3. Countering drug trafficking and related challenges to human security through supporting Member States and RECs to reduce trends of illicit trafficking and supply

in accordance with fundamental human rights principles and the rule of law


Expected outcomes

4. Capacity building in research and data collection enhanced through strengthening

of institutions to respond effectively to challenges posed by illicit drugs,

and to facilitate the licit movement of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes


Expected Outcomes

Management, oversight, reporting and evaluation:

• AUC strengthened to manage implementation

• Programme activities identified & jointly developed by RECs and Member States

• Research capacity to collect data and analyse trends.

• National Inter-sectorial Drug Control Coordinating Committees


Outcome 1 and Outputs

Evidence-based services scaled up to address the health and social impact of drug use:

• Baseline studies conducted

• Information disseminated and awareness raising conducted

• National and regional Drug Use Surveillance Networks established and operational



• Comprehensive, accessible, evidence-informed, ethical and human rights based drug use prevention, dependence, treatment and aftercare services implemented

• Diversion programmes for drug users in conflict with the law institutionalised



Countering drug trafficking and related challenges to human security:

• Legal and policy frameworks in drug trafficking/ related crime prevention strengthened

• Advocacy for policy development

• Evidence based public awareness and community involvement carried out



• Strategic information (including research, surveys and data collection generated and updated

• Epidemiological information on drug trafficking from surveillance networks available





Capacity building in research and data collection enhanced:

• Improved capacities of criminal justice system to investigate, prosecute and take other measures to contain drug related organised crimes

• Barriers limiting availability of internationally controlled drugs for medical and scientific purposes removed



• Capacity for control of precursor chemicals improved

• Continental Common Position related to capacity building in prevention, treatment, research and surveillance developed

• Continental Common Position relating to the availability of adequate pain medication agreed.


Priority Areas of focus 2013-2014 EX.CL/Dec743(XXII)

• Implement the African Common Position on Controlled Substances and Access to Pain Management Drugs

• Implement Continental Minimum Quality Standards for Treatment of Drug Dependence


Priority Areas of focus 2013-2014 EX.CL/Dec743(XXII)

• Adopt policies aimed at channeling confiscated proceeds from drug trafficking and related offenses to support demand reduction and treatment programmes

• To strengthen research on drug control and on monitoring and evaluation of drug abuse and trafficking trends

• Facilitate a continental training for drug dependence treatment

Rolling out AUPA / Progress

1. Drug Demand Reduction

National Experts Consultation, Kampala (19-21 February 2013)

Reviewed existing (Drug use) treatment & prevention architecture in Member States

Detailed implementation matrix with priority interventions per Member State

AUC coordinating and leveraging technical assistance to Member States


Rolling Out AUPA / Progress

2. Drug Supply ReductionComprehensive assessment of the

socio-economic and security challenges of drug trafficking and related organized crime in Africa with initial focus on West Africa & the Sahel (AU Peace & Security Council Decision)National Experts Consultation on Supply

Reduction to identify priority areas for intervention scheduled for Oct 2013


Rolling out AUPA / Progress3. Advocacy for AUPA at the Sessions of the UN CND & CCPCJLaunched during high level side event at

56th Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) AUPA mainstreamed into CND debatesSpecific references to AUPA and requests to

AU in CND resolution on “Enhancing international co-operation to strengthen efforts in West Africa to counter illicit drug trafficking”


Rolling out AUPA / Progress

3. Advocacy for AUPA at the Sessions of the UN CND & CCPCJ:CND resolution requested the AUC to

collaborate and provide support to the implementation of the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan to Address the Growing Problem of Illicit Drug Trafficking, Organized Crime and Drug Abuse in West Africa.



Conclusion• Success of this AUPA predicated on strong

partnerships• Substantive implementation lies with RECs and

Member States. • Member States, RECs & UN and other

partners called upon to balance drug demand & supply reduction approaches

• AUC’s fundamental role is to coordinate, monitor and evaluate implementation, as well as to facilitate technical assistance to Member States and RECs

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION


ambassador olawale maiyegun, phd director, department of social affairs african union commission...

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