This training was carried out in the framework of the UNODC project on strengthening the capacities of Mozambican criminal justice actors to tackle drug trafficking, generously funded by the Federal Republic of Germany.
Maputo (Mozambique), 31 August 2023 – Long a transit country for heroin trafficked along the so-called “Southern Route”, Mozambique has seen a dramatic increase in seizures of other drugs in the past years, signalling its growing importance in other drug trafficking routes. Between 2020 and 2021, total amounts of seized methamphetamines saw a staggering increase in 6218%, with total amounts of cocaine seized rising by 150%. Moreover, seizures of amphetamines and methaqualone have also consistently shown an upward trend since 2019.
Data on drug trafficking and consumption is essential for authorities to identify and swiftly respond to emerging substances and trafficking routes. However, the lack of comprehensive data remains a significant and pressing challenge for national drug authorities worldwide, including in Mozambique.
To address this challenge, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) carried out a training for officials from the Central Office for Drug Prevention and Control (GCPDC) on drug-related data production and reporting from 29 to 31 August 2023.
Opening the training, held in Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, Mr. Inácio Viniche, Head of GCPDC Human Resource Department, said that “one of the biggest issues our country faces is in collecting and treating data related to drug trafficking and consumption.” He emphasized that the issue isn't so much the absence of data but rather the need for improvements in how it is processed and reported to the United Nations.
The training featured in-depth discussions on the foundational elements of drug-related data collection, which are promoted and used by UNODC to receive data from Member States worldwide through the Annual Reports Questionnaire (ARQ) and Individual Drug Seizures (IDS) questionnaire.
As the guardian of the International Drug Control Conventions, UNODC is mandated to collect, analyse and report data on a wide range of subjects related to drugs, from demand to supply, regulatory issues, and patterns and trends in drug use, compiled annually into the UNODC World Drug Report.
Participants gained valuable insights into how data can be channelled through ARQs and Individual Drug Seizures questionnaires, as well as other reporting mechanisms to the United Nations, such as the UNODC Data eXchange Platform, exploring the various indicators and array of sources that can be used to obtain key information.
UNODC statisticians shared best practices – and challenges – in collecting data in a cost-effective, efficient and rigorous manner, demonstrated by real-life cases observed in other Member States. Moreover, attendees gained insights into how UNODC and national entities use this invaluable data to inform policies, decisions, and interventions related to drug-related issues.
The training also included a demonstration of the Drug Monitoring Platform (DMP), a multi-source system managed by UNODC for collecting, visualizing, and sharing drug data in near real-time with interactive visualizations and geographical insights. Trainees emphasized the utility of DMP in providing an overview on drug trafficking worldwide and to access information on ongoing drug-related trends in neighboring countries and the wider Southern African region.
The negative impacts of drug trafficking are far-reaching, with grave social and economic consequences. This form of criminality often leads to instability and violence, while also fuelling other forms of transnational organized crime, such as human trafficking and terrorist activities.
By collecting accurate data and conducting regular analysis, States can take evidence-based action to protect vulnerable populations, identify and disrupt criminal networks, and seize illegal assets. A participant who travelled from the centre province of Sofala to attend the training, shared her perspective: “Data is important to monitor the effectiveness our anti-drug trafficking strategies and GCPCD’s support to people who use drugs.”
Furthermore, drug trafficking often leads to the proliferation of illegal drugs in communities, contributing to substance abuse, addiction, and associated health problems. According to GCPCD, the number of people with mental health disorders associated to drug and alcohol use in Mozambique rose by 14% between 2020 and 2021, from 9,788 in 2020 to 11,164 in 2021. As such, accurate and timely data can also be used to carry out more effective public awareness campaigns on the dangers of drug trafficking and consumption.
Welcoming the capacity-building training, Mr. Orlando Alberto, Head of GCPCD’s Public Education Department, hopes that attending officials, representing 5 different provincial offices, will share the know-how acquired with peers.
Mozambique has shown notable commitment to increasing its capacity to tackle drug use and drug trafficking, key pillars of the Maputo Roadmap, a government-endorsed strategic framework for UNODC’s technical assistance initiatives in the country.
By enhancing its capacity to collect and analyze drug-related data, Mozambique can bolster its reporting to the United Nations – contributing to global data-driven action to combat the World Drug Problem, while also advancing its fight against drug trafficking and safeguarding public health through the implementation of more effective treatment programs.
This training was carried out in the framework of the UNODC project on strengthening the capacities of Mozambican criminal justice actors to tackle drug trafficking, generously funded by the Federal Republic of Germany.
