By Edward Dankwah
Accra, June 20. GNA – Mr. Alexander Twum-Barimah, the Deputy Director General in Charge of Enforcement, Control and Elimination, Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), says the commission will pursue illicit drug traffickers through every possible avenue to help reduce addiction, drug-related crimes and associated health risks.
He said illicit drug trafficking continued to pose a serious threat to Ghana’s public health, security, and the youth, hence the need for such commitment.
Mr. Twum-Barima was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) training 2025, organised in Accra by the NACOC, for treatment professionals, peer counselors and support workers, in Accra.
Participants were trained for three weeks in areas of Pharmacology and Physiology of Drugs, Treatment, Co-occurring, and Basic Counselling Skills, to support individuals and communities struggling with substance use disorders.
Mr. Twum-Barima said looking at the broader national landscape, the alarming rise in opioid abuse, especially the non-medical use of tramadol, often referred to as “Red” could not be ignored.
He said this crisis was increasingly taking root among the youth and affecting all segments of society, such that its devastating impact on families, productivity, and public health was both real and escalating.
“This training represents a vital step in our proactive response to the challenge”
“By building the capacity of treatment professionals, peer counselors, and support workers, we are reinforcing the treatment pillar in Ghana’s drug response strategy,” he added.
He said there was the need to continue to educate the public, reduce stigma, and advocate for more resources and policies that prioritised recovery and rehabilitation.
The Deputy Director-General encouraged the media to use their platforms and expertise to drive treatment-centered conversations.
Mr. Logosu Amegashie, a facilitator, said addiction was not a moral issue but a disease with scientific explanation that was a brain disease characterised by compulsive, seeking and using of substances, despite the medical, psychological and even spiritual consequences.
He said it appeared that due to delays and the irregular organisation of the training due to funding, stakeholder engagement had diminished, and participation was waning.
“To address this, corporate bodies should be encouraged to contribute voluntarily. Additionally, NACOC must strengthen its lobbying and advocacy efforts to secure broader financial support and ensure the sustainability of this important initiative,” he added.
The facilitator said all public service institutions should be actively involved in this initiative, and that if feasible, the introduction of a dedicated tax could be considered, given that drug addiction was a pervasive issue that impacted every aspect of the society.
He said there was the need to scale up the number of participants and expand the scope and frequency of the training, urging that the necessary financial resources be made available to enable the Commission to enhance its training programs and broaden their reach.
Mr. Osei Bonsu Nana Safo, a participant of the training, reiterated that addiction was a disease, and that those affected were not isolated, but lived among us in the communities.
He said it was essential that the issue was approached with empathy, support, and a strong commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration.
The participant said there was hope for individuals struggling with addiction, such that while NACOC continued to address the supply side by targeting those trafficking drugs, it was equally important to focus on those who had already been affected and were living within the communities.
“These individuals should have access to comprehensive healthcare services, and with proper care and support, recovery is always possible,” he stressed.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensa