The drug problem and related organised crime has not been accorded the required priority by political leaders of the region.

Lack of strong existing drug law enforcement mechanisms and crime prevention institutions and / or initiatives.

Inadequate resource allocation to drug law enforcement, intelligence operations for countering organised crime and prevention, and for drug demand reduction.

1.  Improve the level of political support and commitment to tackling the illicit drug trafficking and related organised crime problem facing the region by the political leaders of Member States.

2. Take into account the specificity of all the areas in the ECOWAS space with high risks of arms and drug trafficking, terrorism and the existence of extremist groups

1.1 The Authority of Heads of State and Government to adopt a political declaration to reinforce their political commitment to tackling the problem.

1.1.1 Develop and adopt a political declaration and a Response plan to tackle the problem.

Member States (MS), ECOWAS Commission

UNODC,

Other International Development Partners

1.2. Ensure that  the relevant state agencies to ratify and implement all relevant ECOWAS  Conventions and Protocols indicated in the political Declaration

1.3 Promote and support the ratification of, accession to and implementation of relevant  UN conventions and resolutions

1.4 Establish in relation with technical and financial partners an appropriate operational plan to tackle criminality in the areas involved

1.2.1 Member states to ratify all relevant ECOWAS Conventions and Protocol

1.3.1 Urge  all countries to ratify conventions on drug control and organised crime  and take appropriate steps towards implementation

Member States (MS), ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

UNOWA

1.4 Create / strengthen relevant law enforcement structures to respond to the threat posed by illicit drug trafficking and organised crime.

1.3.1 Evaluate existing drug law enforcement structures.

Centralized inter-institutional investigative units and conduct an assessment of the resources made available.

Member States, ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

UNOWA

International Development Partners

1.3.2 Create / strengthen Centralized inter-institutional investigative agencies / departments / units for the control of illicit drug trafficking and organised crime in each member state

Member States, ECOWAS Commission Member States

INTERPOL

UNOWA

DPKO

UNODC

1.3.3 Create / Strengthen dedicated financial intelligence units to serve as national centre for the collection, analysis and dissemination of information concerning potential money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

Member States, ECOWAS Commission

GIABA

Member States

UNODC

1.5 Adequate funding for drug control and related organised crimes.

1.4.1 Appropriate budgetary allocation for drug control and crime prevention, and to NDA / Cs.

Member States, ECOWAS Commission

International development Partners

World Bank

2. Redefining the drug problem and all related organised crime facing the region as threats to regional and national security and public health.

2.1 Help Governments of Member States appreciate and reclassify the drug problem as a threat to National and regional Security and Public Health.

2.1.1 Develop and update evidence-based strategic Papers to inform the Heads of State and Governments of the magnitude and threats of the drug problem to the security and development of the region.

ECOWAS Commission with support of the Member States

UNODC

2.1.2 Strengthen the ECODrug Fund towards achieving agreed objectives and targets.

Member States

ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

UNOWA

International Development Partners

AFDB

Organised Private Sector

Inadequate capacity of ECOWAS Commission to deliver its drug control mandate

Weak Coordination mechanism at ECOWAS Commission and at the national levels.

3. Strengthen operational capacity of ECOWAS Commission to ensure the coordination in the implementation of the Political Declaration, the Regional Response Action Plan and other mandates given to it by the Authority.

3.1 Establish a follow up mechanism at ECOWAS Commission for the implementation of the Political Declaration and the Response Plan.

3.2 Develop integrated programmes to combat illicit drug drug trafficking and organised crime

3.1.1 Establish a Division at the ECOWAS Commission to serve as the secretariat for Regional Drug Control and Crime Prevention for  Advisory services and advocacy for appropriate funding by Member States.

.

ECOWAS Commission

Member States

UNODC

Large seizures of narcotic drugs in many of the Member States.

Increased level of unexplained cash flow into the economy as demonstrated by the display of unexplained wealth and assets.

Illicit drug traffickers exploiting the weaknesses in the political and enforcement systems..

Use of particular countries for storage and as transit points of large shipments of drugs. The problem is mobile and moves from country to country within the region.

1. Significantly reduce the shipment of cocaine and the trafficking of other illicit drugs into the region.

1.1 Joint operations targeting large shipments of illicit drugs and the illegal proceeds / funds derived from drugs both bilaterally, between countries mutually affected, and multilaterally at the regional and inter-regional levels based on the manifestation\dimension of the problem.

1.1.1 Strengthen the intelligence gathering and information sharing capacity of law enforcement bodies working on illicit drug trafficking and organised crime

ECOWAS Commission

Regional training institutions (Jos, Nigeria and Grand Bassam, Cote d'Ivoire)

WAJO / NDA-Cs / WAPCCO

UNODC

INTERPOL

WCO

GIABA

Other international / bilateral partners

UNDPKO

UNOWA

1.1.2 Conduct national and regional workshops and seminar on drug law enforcement.

1.1.3 Plan, organize and conduct major national and international joint operations targeting Cocaine shipments, Heroin trafficking and Major trafficking networks operating in the region.

Member States

WAPCCO

WAJO

INTERPOL

1.2 Monitoring and strengthening the existing operational efforts to address the issue of massive shipments of cocaine

1.2.1 Establish an operational Network between drug law enforcement outfits operating at all the international airports, seaports and major border posts in Member States.

Member States

ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

1.2.2 Put in place adequate mechanisms for the monitoring, detection, retrieval and confiscation of drug-related laundered funds and assets.

GIABA

ECOWAS Commission

WAPPCO

WAJO

Member States

UNODC

FATF

INTERPOL

International Development Partners

1.3 Reinforcement of security measures to monitor and facilitate the sharing of information and intelligence.

1.3.1 Ensure the extension and functionality of the INTERPOL I24 / 7 secure communication system 24 hours a day to Drug Law Enforcement Agencies / Departments or Units in Member States and utilize the system to transmit / share relevant information and to facilitate joint operations.

1.3.2 Set-up control measures to prevent criminals from obtaining secure identity documents or counterfeiting them

Member States

WAPCCO

NCBs

WAJO

INTERPOL

Inadequate law enforcement infrastructure.

Inadequate personnel.

Inadequate and ineffective training for available personnel.

Shortage of basic drug detection equipment.

Weak forensic analysis capability

2. Strengthen the existing law enforcement framework for countering illicit drug trafficking and related organised crime in Member States.

3. Strengthen existing law enforcement framework and forensic services

2.1 Supply basic equipment to achieve effective presence at vulnerable points (International airports, Seaports and major land borders).

2.2 Recruitment & Enlistment of more Law Enforcement Staff

Member States

ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

International Development partners

2.1.2. Provide support for selected forensic laboratories and Establish communication channels and information exchange between forensic institutes in the region and with forensic associations in other regions.

Member States, ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

International Development partners

2.1.3 Establish specialized units for port control or mobile border operations in key areas.

Member States

UNODC

INTERPOL

WCO

2.3Training of NGOs\CBOs on advocacy and prevention of drug trafficking

2.2.1 Provide adequate training to Law Enforcement officers in all relevant national institutions on countering drug trafficking and related organised crimes..

ECOWAS Commission,

Regional Academy for Drug Control, Jos

CRFLD, Grand Bassam

WAPCCO

WAJO

UNODC

INTERPOL

WCO

GIABA

International Development Partners

2.2.2 Strengthen management of AML operations and create valuable reporting and analysis capacities in Member States by providing appropriate training of Anti Money Laundering.

2.3.1 Select NGOs\CBOs to deliver training and advocacy against illicit drug trafficking

ECOWAS Commission

GIABA

Member States

Member States

NGOs\CBOs

UNODC

FATF

International multi-lateral financial institutions

UNODC

Corruption among Law Enforcement and judicial personnel, and other forms of corruption

Lack of integrity in exhibit handling.

3. Strengthen institutional and personnel integrity to minimize the incidences of corruption and compromise.

3.1 Strengthen institutional integrity within Law Enforcement agencies / departments / units and judicial entities.

3.2 Strengthen the capacity of civil society to monitor and report corruption among LEA and the judiciary

3.1.1 Develop code of conduct, ethics documents and Standard Operating Procedures for drug law enforcement institutions and staff in Member States, which also contains strong measures against breaches (UN ECOSOC 2006 / 23 and CCPCJ 17 / 2).

Member States with support of ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

UNOWA

EU

International Development Partners

CSOs

3.1.2 Develop guidance for relevant oversight bodies for the effective application and enforcements of the above codes.

Member States with support of ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

3.1.3 Build Member States Capacity on crime investigation  procedures /techniques and ethics.

Member States with support of ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

3.1.4 Expand installation of  Computer Based Training Programmes on professional ethics for judges, prosecutors and investigators.

Member States with support of ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

3.1.6 Develop corruption risk assessment and management methodology for drug law enforcement agencies\departments\IDCCs.

Member States with support of ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

3.1.7. Establish / strengthen the capacity of the judiciary to detect and bring to justice corrupt judicial officials.

3.2.1 Training of  relevant  CSOs and institutions on corruption monitoring and reporting in DLA and the judiciary

Member States with model Nigeria EFCC as advisory institution,

ECOWAS Commission

Member States

UNODC

EU

3.3 Develop a standard protocol for the quick disposal of exhibits after the conclusion of the case and / or pre-trial destruction.

3.3.1 Develop a model Exhibit handling guide which may be adopted by Member States.

ECOWAS Commission

Member States

UNODC

Weaknesses and discrepancies in laws, weak institutions and inadequate (light) sentences for offenders in most Member States.

Weak judicial systems

Inadequate exchange of information with source and destination countries.

Mistrust in information management / poor information management.

Poor coordination at the international level in dealing with the drug problem in West Africa, particularly in the case of large shipments of cocaine shipment into the region.

1. Strengthen the existing legal instruments in order to provide sufficient deterrence against illicit drug trafficking

1.1 Review existing drug control and related crime laws in all Member States and recommend harmonisation

1.1.1 Contract legal expert in the region to do desk review of all existing drug and related crime laws in the region and produce a report with the recommendations on the way forward with special emphasis on adapting them vis-à-vis international standards.

ECOWAS Commissions

CSOs

UNODC

1.2 Where possible, designate specialised courts and / or judges to handle drug trafficking, money laundering other economic crimes and organised crime matters generally.

1.2.1 Designate Courts and Judges who will receive special training to handle drug, money laundering and serious economic crimes and organised crime cases.

Member States

ECOWAS Commission

Regional training institutions

UNODC

GIABA

1.3 Utilisation of proceeds recovered from criminal networks / activities to strengthen Drug Control activities.

1.3.1 Amendment of existing laws to allow for the proceeds generated from confiscated assets to be utilized for drug control

Member States

ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

1.4 Introduce law enforcement measures that allow the use of drug couriers to arrest  drug barons and seize their assets within the legal framework of individual member states

1.4.1 Amend existing laws\adopt measures that will help to track drug barons and seize their assets.

1.4.2 Establish, strengthen and mandate the CIIB to track and apprehend major drug barons who are operating in the region, and to facilitate the tracking and recovery of their assets

Member States with support from ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

2. Harmonize legislations to ensure that existing loopholes being exploited by drug traffickers are blocked, including through the provision of minimal sentencing against specified drug offences across the region.

2.1 Develop s model legislation and harmonize legislations to provide for basic minimum sentences for drug offences.

2.1.1. Institutionalize regular research to review sentences passed on drug offences both within and among member states in order to ensure consistency and standard practices.

ECOWAS Commission

Member States

CSOs

UNODC

2.2 Adopt an ECOWAS Drug Control Convention

2.2.1 Review, update and upgrade the draft Protocol on Cooperation among ECOWAS Member States Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances prepared by WAJO Secretariat in 2002 to meet international standards.

ECOWAS Commission

Member States

UNODC

Other international partners

UNODC

3. Improve coordinated regional and international efforts in dealing with the drug problem and all related organised crime in the region.

3.1 Establish Communication channels and information exchange between the source, transit and destination countries.

3.1.1 Designation of operational liaison officers in Member States and promotion of usage of existing networks for communication and information exchange.

ECOWAS Commission, Member States

UNODC

3.2 Facilitate regional and international exchange of information, particularly in financial intelligence data, between relevant entities.

3.2.1 Networking of the region with other LE practitioners in source, transit and destination countries through existing multilateral intelligence exchange mechanisms.

ECOWAS Commission

WAPCCO

WAJO

UNODC

INTERPOL

EUROPOLl

WCO

EU

FATF

3.2.2 Capacity building on  mutual legal assistance .

ECOWAS Commission,

UNODC

INTERPOL

Other International bodies

Increased availability and use of drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and heroin at the retail level.

Alcohol and Tobacco Abuse is a major source of Concern in West Africa

Increasing use of addictive substances not under local or international control among young people with associated health consequences

An emerging pattern of drug use involving IDUs with the potential of increased prevalence of  HIV..

Increased level of demand for drug treatment in many countries. .

Limited number of trained manpower, treatment and rehabilitation facilities.

Unharmonised drug control policies, For example, lack of integration of drug abuse prevention in HIV / AIDS, infections control programmes among vulnerable groups such as IDUs, prisoners, PVHT, especially for young people, men and women.

1. Prevent people in the region from becoming a major drug consumer as a result of increased availability of  illicit substances of abuse

1.1 Multi-media campaign to inform and educate: Renewed publicity about the drug threat in the media

1.2 Integration of drug abuse counselling in health care services

1.1.1Conceptualize, develop and produce new and innovative IEC materials for awareness raising of the level of the threat as well as drug demand reduction programme by emphasizing monitoring and evaluation of activities.

Member States

ECOWAS Commission

NGOs / CBOs

UNODC

Media proprietors in Member States and those with wide reach in the region, media professional associations, NGOs / CBOs

1.2. Mobilize and involve the civil society to raise awareness and educate the general public on the dangers of drug trafficking and abuse and contribute to data collection to monitor trends.

1.2.1 Strengthen regional and national networks for NGOs and CBOs involved in drug demand reduction programmes.

Member States

ECOWAS Commission

UNODC ,

International Development Partners, NGOs / CBOs

2. Harmonise drug abuse and HIV / AIDS control policies at national and regional levels.

2.1 Establish national review mechanisms to identify and harmonise areas where common action is required and desirable in the HIV / AIDS and drug abuse paradigms.

2.1.2. Review national plans of action against drugs on the basis of data and integrate the HIV / AIDS and drugs in educational sectors.

2.1.3 Develop  and implement programmes providing integrated drug abuse and HIV / AIDS prevention  services

Member States

ECOWAS Commission,

UNODC

2.2 Establish integrated health services to address Mental Health and HIV / AIDS and drug abuse.

2.3 Train prison staff to manage HIV\AIDs and drug abuse in the prisons

2.2.1 Set up a technical multi-sectoral working group to achieve integration in health services.

Member States

ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

2.2.2. Formulation of relevant and targeted sensitisation programmes and activities.

National Demand reduction agencies / IDCC in partnership with ECOWAS Commission, UNODC and other SNU partners

UNODC

International Development Partners

2.2.3 Raise awareness of risk groups, authorities, health officers, prison officials, inmates etc.

Member States

ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

CSOs

2.2.4 Build capacities of CSOs in the field (training of trainers, risk groups) and Strengthen cooperation with Drug Control entities.

Member States

ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

2.2.5 Training of prison staff in drug abuse and HIV transmission prevention.

Member States

ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

2.2.6 Promote participation of local communities in drug abuse and HIV / AIDS prevention.

National Demand reduction agencies / IDCC in partnership with ECOWAS Commission,

UNODC

International Development Partners

3. Provide HIV / AIDS detection / prevention drug dependence early identification and treatment services accessible to drug users, in particular hidden populations and marginalized groups.

3.1 Member States to establish multiple screening and prevention centres, especially in areas that have concentration of vulnerable groups that are hard to reach.

3.1.1 Advocacy before political authorities and establish counselling centres, specialised host centres and care centres at central and decentralised

National Demand reduction agencies / IDCC ECOWAS,

UNODC

International Development Partners

3.2 Establish programmes to increase access to treatment services for prisoners by integrating drug abuse and HIV / AIDS monitoring programmes into prison healthcare services.

3.2.1 Establish voluntary screening and referral mechanisms for drug related health problems..

IDCC in partnership with ECOWAS,

UNODC

International Development Partners

3.2.2 Organise training sessions for healthcare staff to acquire monitoring skills.

National Demand reduction agencies / IDCC ECOWAS Commission,

UNODC

International Development Partners

3.2.3 Establish linkages with specialists treatment units available and support the equipping of the units

National Demand reduction agencies / IDCC ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

International Development Partners

3.2.4 Provide access to treatment for drug dependent persons in and out of prisons.

National Demand reduction agencies / IDCC  ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

International Development Partners

3.3 Systematic and progressive integration of drug abuse prevention and early detection and counselling services into the primary healthcare, workplace and educational institutions.

3.3.1 Train treatment staff (psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, teachers, doctors, pharmacists, midwives, traditional medical practitioners).

National Demand reduction agencies / IDCC

ECOWAS Commission,

UNODC

International Development Partners

4. Establish /Strengthen and / or equip social rehabilitation centres to rehabilitate drug users and provide wide range of treatment and rehabilitation services to meet the treatment and rehabilitation needs of  people with drug abuse problems

4.1 Make available and equip social rehabilitation centres for the rehabilitation of drug users outside of formal treatment institutions and psychiatric settings.

4.1.1 Identify rehabilitation needs of drug users and Establish / equip rehabilitation centres.

National Demand reduction agencies / IDCC ECOWAS Commission,

UNODC

International Development Partners

4.1.2 Provide rehabilitation services to those who need them the most.

National Demand reduction agencies / IDCC ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

International Development Partners

4.2 Make available wide range of treatment options and methods to address the different treatment / rehabilitation needs of people with addiction problems.

4.2.1 Train professional staff to be able to provide a cocktail of therapies - Medical, Psychological, social, occupational, etc.

National Demand reduction agencies ECOWAS Commission,

UNODC

International Development Partners

5. Integrate vocational training for drug users in rehabilitation services

5.1 Provide relevant vocational training to drug users undergoing rehabilitation

5.1.1 Establish cooperation agreements with vocational institutions

Member States ECOWAS Commission

Increased problems associated with drug abuse and dependence, including property crimes, interpersonal violence and injuries due workplace and road traffic accidents

6. Prevent acute and chronic social problems affecting drug users, their families and  society at large

6.1 Develop and implement evidence-based policies targeting special drug-related behaviours, e.g. driving under the influence of drugs     6.2 Involve NGOs, CBOs and the media in addressing the public welfare and safety consequences of drug abuse

6.1.1 Train law enforcement Officers to recognise and respond to social problems associated with drugs.                                                 6.1.2 Provide necessary equipment to enforcement officials to test for the presence of drugs in offending individuals

Member States

Lack of valid and reliable data to measure the extent of the problem and be able to design solutions that meet the assessed needs / challenges.

1. Develop sustainable capacity for research and evaluation of drugs and crime related issues and conduct periodical situation analysis / studies.

1.1. Assess the current information available on drug abuse and crime in order to provide valid and reliable data for policy formulation and subsequent related actions.

1.1.1 Collect and analyse existing data on drugs and crime.

National Demand reduction agencies / IDCC ECOWAS Commission

Control Committees (Focal Point and research network) in partnership with ECOWAS Commission

UNODC

ECOWAS Commission

Member States

Local partners

UNODC

INTERPOL

WCO

WHO

Member States

1.2 Develop capacity for research in drugs and crime related issues and strengthen collaborative analysis among relevant national / regional / international partners.

1.1.2 Identify relevant institutions to be trained in research on drug abuse and crime prevention.

1.1.3 Select appropriate personnel and train them on research.

1.1.4 Establish measures to ensure sustainability of the research capacity developed.

1.1.5 Perform quantitative and qualitative analysis and prepare situation / trend analysis reports.

2. Set up mechanisms and conduct basic surveys on specific issues to raise awareness and gain knowledge on trends and pattern of drug abuse

3. Evaluate intervention programmes and ascertain effectiveness

2.1 Create mechanisms for periodic national epidemiological studies to keep track of the drug problem on a sustainable manner.

2.1.1 Set up an epidemiological / research network on drug abuse at regional and national levels.

ECOWAS Commission in partnership with National Demand reduction agencies / IDCC

UNODC

WHO

UNAIDS

3 Support relevant networks and partnerships as well as the development of national and regional information sharing mechanisms.

3.1 Create Information sharing mechanisms, including the sharing of best practices especially among and within different expert groups a.

3.1.1 Arrange meetings between professional groups including civil society organisations and youth to work out modalities for the collection, collation, analysis and sharing of information at the national and regional levels, respectively.

Member States

ECOWAS Commission

Local Partners

UNODC

WHO