ECOWAS adopts ‘drug action plan’ to tackle illicit trafficking

The ECOWAS Ministers of Justice and Interior have adopted the ‘2016-2020 Drug Action Plan’ to address illicit drug trafficking, organised crimes and drug abuse in the sub-region. By adopting the action plan, the ECOWAS Commission, member states, and all partners would now be guided by a common strategic framework in combating the menace. Speaking at […]

The ECOWAS Ministers of Justice and Interior have adopted the ‘2016-2020 Drug Action Plan’ to address illicit drug trafficking, organised crimes and drug abuse in the sub-region.
By adopting the action plan, the ECOWAS Commission, member states, and all partners would now be guided by a common strategic framework in combating the menace.
Speaking at the opening of the ministerial meeting, the commission’s president, Marcel Alain De Souza, noted that West Africa remained vulnerable to all forms of trans-national organised crime.
According to him, there is the need to redouble efforts to ensure that the sub-region finds ways to effectively respond to evolving and emerging drug threats.
He said this could be achieved by not only increasing arrests, seizures and incarcerations but ensuring that prevention and treatment interventions are strengthened.
The Nigeria’s Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, in his address, pledged the country’s commitment to the collaborative implementation of all international legal instruments for the fight against drugs and psychotropic substances.