Making progress on drug policy in sub-Saharan Africa
The purpose of the grant is to investigate and analyze the origins of current drug law and policy in four key countries—Tanzania (with Zanzibar), South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana—seek the views of policy-makers, researchers and other key informants on possibilities for opening new directions for drug policy, and propose strategies for moving policy forward in this neglected area. This will be accomplished by a desk review, visiting the four countries and consulting the US-based health professionals knowledgeable about Africa and drug policy experts.
The findings of this research will inform an analysis suggesting strategic directions and opportunities for progress on drug policy in these countries. In addition, policy briefs and recommendations for each country will be prepared, suitable for dissemination to policy-makers, public health service providers, media, donors, international organizations.
The overall objective of this research is to identify opportunities where there may be some possibility of improving drug policy and to recommend strategies toward that end in four African countries.