Mapping Children on the Move within Africa The ACRWC under Article 16(1) requires states to put in place legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect children from among others abuse, neglect or maltreatment including sexual abuse. In addition, Article 19 of the ACRWC provides that every child has the right to enjoy parental care and protection and has an entitlement to reside with his or her parents. Adherence to this obligation is instrumental particularly in protection of rights of migrant children. Article 18 of the CRC also places an obligation on states to use their best efforts to guarantee recognition of the principle that ‘both parents have common responsibilities for the upbringing and development of the child.’ In addition, the Article provides that states have an obligation to render appropriate assistance to parents and legal guardians in the performance of child rearing responsibilities. Further, Article 19 provides that states should provide appropriate legislative, social, educational and administrative measures to protect children from all forms of mental or physical violence, neglect, abuse, sexual exploitation while in care of parents and such protective measures should include effective procedures for the establishment of social programmes to provide support to a child and for those who have the care of the child. 5.13 Drug abuse Children on the move often face the challenge of lack of access to education in transit and countries of destination because of discrimination and other structural problems. Where migrant or refugee children are not allowed access to education,they are rendered vulnerable to exploitation and taking up behaviours such as abuse of drugs and crime which are linked to idleness and hopelessness.470 Migrant children may be exposed to illicit drugs and substances if they are allowed to remain idle in neighbourhoods where drugs and alcohol are readily available.471 To cope with traumatic experiences, acculturation challenges and exclusion from socioeconomic services migrants or refugees may in certain circumstances be inclined to resort to drug and substance abuse.472 Refugees residing in camps often face situations such as lack of space, decline in livelihood opportunities, breakdown in social support and erosion of social values which contribute to hopelessness and social problems.473 In such situations for instance in Dadaab, Kenya and N’Zerekore, Guinea refugee camps alcohol and substance abuse is prevalent due the limited capacity of some refugees to deal with stressful events.474 Among adolescent refugees, poor expectations for the future and disillusionments are cited as cause for resorting to alcohol and substance abuse.475 Some of them stated that they felt ‘literally trapped between the dramatic situation in their country of origin and an almost absolute lack of future perspectives.’476 Also when it comes to child labour, the prevalence of alcohol and drug addiction and delinquency is high among child migrant labourers.477 The removal of family support and guidance from child labourers exposes them to these vices.478 470 471 472 473 474 475 476 477 478 UNESCO, Protecting the right to education for refugees (2017) p 8. D Horyniak et al, Epidemiology of Substance Use among Forced Migrants: A Global Systematic Review (2016) 11(7) PLoS One https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4943736/ accessed (29 July 2018). As above. E Streel & M Schilperoord, Perspectives on alcohol and substance abuse in refugee settings: lessons from the field Intervention (2010) 8(3) War Trauma Foundation 268 – 275. As above, 270. As above. As above. H van de Glind & A Kou, Migrant children in child labour: A vulnerable group in need of attention in IOM, Children on the Move (2013) p 37. As above. 83