Substance misuse among young people is one of the most public concerns in global health. This study set out to explore treatment barriers among young people in Zimbabwe.

Data was collected through interviews with 30 participants

The study found that the barriers to treatment among young people included

• fear of being incarcerated
• poor drug awareness
• stigmatisation
• inhibiting financial costs of treatment
• conflating drug use with personal freedom

The authors of the study concluded that there is need for developed countries to invest more through the United Nations to help develop...

Abstract

Background and Aims

The most available data on the prevalence of cannabis use come from population surveys conducted in high-income countries in North America, Oceania and Europe. Less is known about the prevalence of cannabis use in Africa. This systematic review aimed to summarize general population-level cannabis use in sub-Saharan Africa since 2010.

Results

The study included 53 studies and included 13 239 participants.

• Among adolescents, the life-time, 12-month and 6-month prevalence of cannabis use were 7.9%, 5.2% and 4.5% respectively.
• The corresponding life-time, 12...

At its 62nd session in March 2019 the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) adopted by consensus the Ministerial Declaration entitled “Strengthening Our Actions at the National, Regional and International Levels to Accelerate the Implementation of our Joint Commitments to Address and Counter the World Drug Problem”. (https://www.unodc.org/documents/commissions/CND/2019/Ministerial_Declaration.pdf)

Following the format used for the thematic discussions held within the CND since 2016, Member States developed a multi-year workplan and will hold, every autumn, inter-active meetings aiming to address...