Supporting the implementation of drug control policies

Aim

The main objective of this project is to promote public health through the prevention and fight against illegal drugs, alcohol abuse and tobacco consumption in communities. It aims to create community-based anti-drugs coalitions to inform, educate and sensitize adolescents and young people about disorders related to the use of psychoactive substances. To date, we count 7 coalitions in Lomé .

Landscape

The phenomenon of drug addiction has received increased attention in West Africa and in Togo especially over the last two decades. The negative effects of drug addiction adversely impact institutions, are a threat to public health and impede broader development efforts. In Togo, we find that drug addiction predominantly affects young people. To support the government's efforts in the fight against drugs, the ANCE-Togo has set up a pilot project for community-based drug control in Togo in collaboration with the National Anti-Drug Committee (CNAD) and with the support of other partners such CADCA, ECOWAS, UNODC, WADPN and WACSI.

Activities

1. Awareness campaigns
   Awareness raising
2. Training for journalists and the police on drugs control policies
   Awareness raisingPolicy briefing
3. Commemoration of the international day to fight against drugs
   Awareness raisingMedia campaign
4. Training workshops for two communities on drugs control
   Awareness raising

Achievements

1. Conscious of negative impact of drug addiction on socio-economic standards, health and sustainable development levels in Togo, ANCE-Togo organized several public awareness campaign aimed at educating teenagers on "underlying dangers of drugs use". Speakers had lectured on several diseases that can be the result of consuming drugs. In addition, ANCE-Togo has produced 2000 copies of the health code that has been disseminated throughout the entire country to make citizens aware of their rights and duties. More than 3 million citizens now know their rights and accountabilities and how to claim them, thereby reducing the rate of corruption in the health sector.
2. In 2016, ANCE-TOGO started a pilot project in collaboration with CNAD and with the technical support of CADCA to contribute to the fight against drug consumerism by establishing community-based anti-drug coalitions. The pilot project led to the creation of two coalitions initially. Today, 7 coalitions have been established in Lomé.