Rapid assessment of drug abuse in Ethiopia

A study of drug and substance abuse at Addis Ababa and in 24 towns across Ethiopia was conducted from June to November 1995. Five categories of respondents were selected for the study: street children, commercial sex workers and street vendors; medical, social and public health workers; law enforcement officials; leaders of religious institutions and educational establishments, youth leaders and personnel of non-governmental organizations providing social service to communities; and focus groups comprised of men and women from the various places covered in the study. All categories of respondents agreed that the problem of substance abuse was becoming increasingly serious in Ethiopia; that adolescents and young adults were the most affected group; and that addictive substances were easily obtainable in the country. The study also found that there was a significant increase in the number of Ethiopians chewing khat (Catha edulis). Khat, previously known to grow mainly in the eastern part of Ethiopia, was widely cultivated in all parts of the country. Khat consumption, traditionally confined to a certain segment of the population, had become popular among all segments of the population. Some of the respondents reported that khat-chewing often led to the abuse of illicit substances.