Drugs and addictions in overseas France. State of play and issues

The French Overseas Territories include 12 territories of varied political and institutional statuses spread over several continents and three oceans (Atlantic, Indian, Pacific).

Overseas France is receiving increasingly targeted attention from public authorities, however, knowledge of the issues specific to these territories remains partial. A certain amount of data is nevertheless available and makes it possible to draw up an overview focusing on the former French overseas departments (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guiana, La Réunion) supplemented by occasional data from New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Mayotte.

The report as well as its summary considers 3 major aspects:

• The large supply of drugs in Overseas France and especially the cocaine market in the French West Indies-Guiana region.
• A less widespread use than in metropolitan France but more concentrated in certain populations.
• The strong mobilisation coverage of the care provided that falls far short of needs while a significant part of the police force activity is focused on narcotics.