Burkina/Road safety: ANSSEAT and FUTRB join forces to combat drug use at the wheel

Faced with the resurgence of road accidents and the growing risks associated with the consumption of psychoactive substances by some drivers, the Agence nationale pour la sécurité sanitaire, de l'environnement, de l'alimentation, du travail et des produits de santé (ANSSEAT), on the recommendation of the authorities, has entered into direct dialogue with road transport stakeholders. With this in mind, a meeting was held on January 30, 2026 between ANSSEAT and the Faîtière unique des transporteurs routiers du Burkina Faso (FUTRB), to discuss the introduction of drug testing for drivers.

This meeting is part of a clear commitment to prevention and the co-construction of solutions. From the outset, ANSSEAT officials were keen to dispel any ambiguity as to the nature of their approach. "We are not a repression structure, we are a support structure", they reminded us, insisting that voluntary adherence remains at the heart of the initiative. For the agency, it's not a question of imposing measures, but of getting the players in the sector to understand what's at stake, and to make a lasting commitment to the safety of users and the nation.

During the discussions, ANSSEAT, through its Department of Toxicology, Health and Safety at Work (DTSST), set out the scientific and health framework for the issue. Drug use, whether legal or illegal, acts directly on the central nervous system, altering alertness, judgment and decision-making capacity. For drivers, these effects translate into an increased risk of accidents, often serious or even fatal.

The data presented by ANSSEAT speak for themselves. For several years now, toxicological analyses carried out by the Laboratoire National de Santé Publique (LNSP), now part of ANSSEAT ANSSEAT, have shown high rates of positivity, with cannabis and amphetamines at the forefront of the drugs detected. These worrying data, passed on to the relevant authorities, led to the extension of drug testing to sensitive sectors, notably transport.

An approach based on dialogue and shared responsibility

During the meeting with the FUTRB, ANSSEAT emphasized the strategic nature of the transport sector for the national economy, but also its vulnerability. "Your structure is one of the largest in the transport sector, and we can't take action without you," stressed the agency's director, Pr Elie Kabré, calling for close collaboration.

Responsibilities are clearly shared. ANSSEAT is committed to providing technical and scientific support, ensuring the reliability of analyses, training and raising the awareness of stakeholders, while producing data useful for improving public policies. For their part, transporters and drivers are called upon to adhere to testing as a protective measure, to facilitate control operations and to integrate drug prevention into internal training and awareness-raising.

At the end of the discussions, a number of recommendations were made. These included the signing of an agreement between ANSSEAT and the FUTRB, the organization of awareness-raising sessions for drivers, the creation of an internal monitoring committee and the adoption of a charter of good conduct. The idea is also to reward exemplary drivers, in order to promote a more professional and safer image of road transport.

ANSSEAT's key message is that road safety is a collective responsibility. Drug testing is not a punishment, but an opportunity for progress and an investment in the sustainability of the sector. "You can be sure that we will not hesitate to call on you for the well-being of road users and the entire nation", concluded Yacouba Barro, President of the Faîtière unique des transporteurs et routiers.re unique des transporteurs et routiers du Burkina (FUTRB), reaffirming his willingness to work hand in hand with ANSSEAT to build a safer and more respected transport sector in Burkina Faso.

Source: lefaso.net/