north africa programme

North Africa programme Situation analysis Cannabis is the main drug of concern in north Africa, with Morocco being the m...

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North Africa programme Situation analysis Cannabis is the main drug of concern in north Africa, with Morocco being the main local source. Algeria, Egypt and Morocco register significant seizures of cannabis herb and resin originating locally or from other sources and destined either for local consumption or European destinations. North Africa is affected by the transiting of heroin and cocaine, re-routed from west or southern African transit points, to Europe, and by the diversion of licit drugs into illicit channels. The amount of heroin and cocaine trafficked into north Africa for local consumption appears to be increasing, in particular in Algeria, Egypt and Morocco. Illicit drug trafficking from and around Morocco goes hand in hand with other organized crime. Money-laundering and the trafficking of human beings, conducted in cooperation between north African and European criminal networks, are growing problems. Most countries report increasing drug abuse, with cannabis, heroin and stimulants as the main drugs of abuse. Intravenous drug use has been reported by all north African countries. HIV/AIDS related to intravenous drug use has been reported for Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

Objective The objective is to establish a cooperation framework involving north African Governments and other concerned Governments in a balanced supply reduction, demand reduction and law enforcement programme in north Africa.

Strategy In order to effect lasting drug control changes in north Africa, the cannabis issue and related organized crime extending to the region and neighbouring European countries need to be addressed, and a framework for cooperation needs to be established to allow the coordinated and effective utilization of north African and bilateral resources and expertise. Thus, the UNODC role in north Africa is that of providing the expertise and catalytic activities to effect changes in national drug control policies and programmes, seek increased funding and cost-sharing from Governments in the region, and act as catalyst between north African Governments, bilateral donors and the United Nations system for increased support and funding of supply and demand reduction action. The planned project in Morocco, to be implemented in line with available funding, and the ongoing major project with the Government of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya both exemplify the UNODC approach. The Moroccan project aims at integrating measurable targets for cannabis elimination into the National Development Programme for the Northern Region, and at developing a strong set of national and regional control measures that are to accompany this revised development programme. The project in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, fully financed by the Libyan Government, will add new policy, with legal, licit control and demand reduction components, to a drug control approach previously focused on law enforcement. UNODC plans to develop similar projects with government co-financing in other north African countries, and to build on results of national demand reduction projects in Egypt. In support thereof, a regional component of GAP for north Africa, implemented together with the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe, will provide the required baseline data on drug abuse and related requirements in the region, and lead to the creation of a drug abuse information system for north Africa. UNODC execution remains the preferred execution modality for components under this evolving programme. National execution will be negotiated in those

cases where Governments make their resources and expertise available for regional or Africa-wide purposes, such as the offer of Egypt to utilize the AntiNarcotics General Administration and its experts for training in Africa. Technical support for project implementation is provided by the Vienna-based units in demand reduction and, as of 2002, by a GAP epidemiological adviser to be based in Cairo. For the Morocco project, the Agence du Nord will host a UNODC project expert and facilitate frequent expert missions from the global illicit crops monitoring programme and GPML. Subject to the project’s being implemented within the planned time-frame, evaluations for Morocco and the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya are scheduled for late 2003.

Results Outcome: cannabis assessment methodology for Morocco agreed upon and first surveys conducted. Objectively verifiable indicator: availability of reports and quality data (in 2002). Outcome: national action programme against drug trafficking and organized crime in Morocco. Objectively verifiable indicators: progress in changes of national legislation; adoption of revised northern development programme; initial results of eradication and law enforcement action (in 2003). Outcome: drug abuse situation and needs and relation to HIV/AIDS assessed in at least three countries. Objectively verifiable indicators: availability and quality of assessment reports; number of local epidemiologists trained; increase in the quality of reports to UNODC (in 2003). Outcome: adequate legal framework and operational structures for drug control and demand reduction in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. Objectively verifiable indicators: new national laws adopted; computerized system for licit control in place; Tagura Treatment Centre functional; number of personnel trained (in 2003).

Budget and funding The regional programme will cover the period 2001-2005. Given the plans for the region and the resulting approach to developing a framework supporting increased resource allocations by north African Governments and bilateral assistance, current UNODC budget estimates for the full programme until 2005 are about $7 million. Key programmes are ongoing or will start during 2002. The biennial programme budget for 2002-2003 is set at $3.7 million. The table below provides a breakdown of that budget by thematic area, ongoing and pipeline activities and general- and special-purpose resources.