West Africa's drug trade: reasons for concern and hope.

West Africa has recently emerged as a major focus for international drug policy, mainly in response to largescale cocaine seizures in West Africa, from where drugs are transhipped to European and American consumer markets [1]. International policy responses have concentrated on strengthening the criminal justice system, particularly the interdiction of drugs at West African airand seaports. However, limited data exist regarding the rates of local drug use in West Africa, and public health initiatives related to treatment have been sidelined.