NACOB Advocates Measures to Reduce Drug Abuse

 

The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) has applegate the need to establish Regional Rehabilitation Centres (REREH) across the country to reduce the high level of drug abuse in the country.

The facility as initiated will work on the need to assist drug abusers, give them good health assistance and more so educate them on the essence of stopping using those drugs.

Addressing a press conference as part of activities to commemorate this year’s World Drugs Day in Cape Coast, Mr Rees Oduro, the Deputy Central Regional Commander of NACOB explained that substance abuse in whatever form was destructive to the human body and inimical to the socio-economic progress of society.

“The importance of Drug Rehab Centres cannot be underestimated because drug addiction causes destructive effects on abusers and people around them,” he noted.

Mr Oduro described the theme for this year’s celebration “Listen First”, which sought to inculcate in parents the traits of listening to children and youth, as appropriate.

The Deputy Regional of the institution address the issue of parents, guidance relationship in the house and called for sustainability to derive to stop the increase of drugs in our society.

“A strong bond between parents and children is based on listening to them and showing that they care”.

This, he stated would increase the prevention of drug use and drug abuse as an effective investment in the well-being of children, youth, families and their communities.

Mr Oduro called on Ghanaians, particularly the youth to stay away from drugs and blamed the surge in social-vices to the misuse of hard drugs among the youth as the majority of them have become susceptible to immoral behaviour under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Students were also advised to avoid drug abuse and if tempted, ponder over the repercussions such drugs might have on their health.
They must sidestep the use of unprescribed and illicit drug substances such as cannabis also known as “wee”, cocaine, Tramadol among others, in order not to jeopardise their future.

As part of their mandate, he said NACOB also sought to address demand and supply reduction and to improve access to controlled medicines while preventing diversion.

“The Central Regional Command as part its mandate will continue to educate the public in schools, churches, Mosques, social gathering, marketplaces, lorry terminals and the media to alert them on the effects of the menace of drug abuse,” he said.

He mentioned community norms favourable to drug abuse, poor family management and conflicts, parental permissiveness among others as risk factors that posed a great threat to the societies.

Mr Oduro emphasized that “drug abuse is an evil in society and disorientation among the youth” and called on all stakeholders to join the fight to rid the country of illicit drugs.