Government committed to fight drug abuse and trafficking

Akim Oda (E/R), June 28, GNA – Mr Henry Quartey, the Deputy Minister of the Interior, says government is committed to resource the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) to effectively fight drug abuse and trafficking.

To this end, he said, the government would provide NACOB officers with the requisite training, skills and logistics to wage war against the drug menace to prevent its devastating effects on the people.

Mr Quartey was speaking at a programme organised to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at Akim Oda in the Eastern Region.

It was on the theme: “Listening to Children and Youth is the First Step to Help Them Grow Healthy and Safe.”

The United Nations has set aside June 26 to mark the Day.

Mr Quartey said among critical dangers posed by the illicit drug business was the health implications, which predisposed the individual to diverse diseases and ill-health.

He said it was being proposed in the Narcotics Control Commission Bill 2017 that substance abuse be looked at as a Public Health-centred approach; focusing on treatment and rehabilitation of drug abusers and addicts instead of incarceration.

He said NACOB with stakeholders had been offering treatment and rehabilitation programmes for drug addicts at schools, social gatherings, churches, among others.

Mr Kwabena Bempong, the Birim Central Municipal Chief Executive called on Ghanaians to assist in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking to build a drug-free country.

GNA

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