Mozambique: Health Facilities Treat Over 17,000 Involved in Drugs Abuse

What the report says

Mozambique’s health facilities treated at least 17,783 people in the first half of 2026 for mental and behavioral disorders linked to drugs and other psychoactive substances, according to a National Report on Drug Trafficking and Consumption cited by the Central Office for the Prevention and Control of Drugs. The figure is described as a 58.6% rise from the same period in 2025. The report was published in Maputo and attributed to Agence de Informação de Moçambique, with health ministry and drug-control officials discussing the findings.

Health Ministry representative Salma Iuraimadam said the most common reasons for psychiatric and mental health care were use of multiple substances and alcohol. The report also identified cases involving cannabinoids and opioids. Officials said the 21-to-35 age group accounted for the largest share of cases, which they consider especially important because it overlaps with school and working ages.

The report also highlighted geographic patterns, with Maputo leading in consumption, while Nampula, Cabo Delgado and Manica also recorded elevated levels of multiple-substance use. Officials warned that abusive drug use can contribute to family conflict, neglect of responsibilities and mental and physical health problems, including depression, anxiety, psychosis and cardiovascular and liver disease.

Beyond treatment data, the report said prevention campaigns reached more than 1.38 million people and involved thousands of activists and school and community talks. It also cited increases in drug-related criminal cases recorded by police and prosecutors. Together, the figures suggest both growing health pressures and continuing law-enforcement concerns around drug use in Mozambique.