By MauriceDuncan
The Upper East Regional Command of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has donated assorted relief items to the Presbyterian Psychiatric Hospital in Bolgatanga as part of activities marking the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the rehabilitation and recovery of persons battling substance use disorders.
The donation, made on behalf of the Director-General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, included bags of sachet water, detergent, washing powder, bar soaps, liquid soap, gloves, mops, brushes, tissues, toilet rolls, clothing, bread and assorted soft drinks to support patients receiving treatment at the facility.
Presenting the items, the Upper East Regional Commander of NACOC, Senior Narcotics Control Officer Saeed Abdul-Aziz, said the gesture reflects the Commission’s broader mandate of reducing drug demand through prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and public education.
He stressed that NACOC’s responsibilities extend beyond law enforcement and the arrest of drug traffickers.
“Today’s donation forms part of the celebration of the 2026 World Drug Day. As a Commission, our work is not only about arresting people involved in drug trafficking or enforcing the law. We also have a responsibility to support persons suffering from substance use disorders and assist institutions that are helping to rehabilitate them,” he stated.
Mr. Abdul-Aziz explained that the Presbyterian Psychiatric Hospital has become a key partner in the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals referred by the Commission, making it important for NACOC to support the facility’s work.
Although he could not immediately provide statistics on substance abuse in the Upper East Region, he noted that observations from community engagements and school outreach programmes indicate that drug abuse remains a growing public health concern, particularly among young people.
According to him, the Commission has observed a disturbing shift in substance abuse patterns among the youth.
“The trend is changing. We are seeing young people combining energy drinks with opioids such as tramadol and other substances instead of relying solely on cannabis. These are some of the practices we have observed during our educational engagements in schools and communities,” he revealed.
Mr. Abdul-Aziz said NACOC has intensified preventive education by conducting sensitisation programmes in schools and communities. He disclosed that the Commission recently organised a capacity-building seminar for guidance and counselling coordinators in Senior High Schools to strengthen early identification and support for students vulnerable to substance abuse.
The Deputy Regional Commander of NACOC, Narcotics Control Officer Marshal Abuchow, described drug abuse as one of the greatest threats confronting Ghana’s youth, warning that addiction is increasingly denying many young people opportunities for employment and national service.
He cited recent recruitment exercises into the security services where thousands of applicants reportedly failed mandatory drug screening tests due to substance abuse.
“The youth are the hope of this nation. If we allow them to engage in drug abuse, where lies our future? Nobody will train you to handle weapons if you are addicted to drugs,” he cautioned.
Mr. Abuchow further appealed to members of the public to support the fight against illicit drugs by volunteering credible information about individuals involved in the cultivation, trafficking and sale of narcotic substances.
“We cannot be everywhere. If members of the public know people cultivating cannabis or engaging in drug trafficking, it is their responsibility to volunteer information to the appropriate authorities so that action can be taken,” he appealed.
The Acting Educational Head of NACOC in the Upper East Region, Authorised Narcotics Control Officer Jennifer Abedi, said the donation was inspired by the Commission’s growing collaboration with the psychiatric hospital in rehabilitating persons suffering from substance use disorders.
She disclosed that some of the clothing donated had been contributed by neighbouring institutions following an appeal by NACOC, while the bread and drinks were intended to allow patients to actively participate in activities marking this year’s World Drug Day.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Presbyterian Psychiatric Hospital, the Nurse-in-Charge, Vida Agongo, expressed profound appreciation to NACOC for what she described as a timely and compassionate intervention.
“On behalf of the psychiatric specialist, management, staff and patients of the Presbyterian Psychiatric Hospital, we want to say a very big thank you. We were not expecting this support, and we are truly grateful,” she said.
An inmate at the facility, Kenneth Ayamga, also expressed gratitude to the Commission, saying the donation had renewed hope among patients undergoing treatment.
“When we woke up this morning, we did not know we would receive such kindness. This shows that people care about us. We will also go out and encourage others to stay away from drug abuse so that they do not end up in similar situations,” he said.
The donation formed part of nationwide activities commemorating the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, highlighting NACOC’s commitment to complementing law enforcement with education, prevention, treatment and community support in addressing substance abuse across Ghana.
Source: MyBlueWavesonlin.com | Maurice Duncan |Bolgatanga
