Sekondi: Mr Abdul-Majeed Dokurgu, the Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), has announced that the Assembly, through its Security Council, is addressing the issue of narcotics and substance abuse within the Municipality in a direct manner.
According to Ghana News Agency, recent intelligence from the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has uncovered a worrying trend of drug-related activities among the youth in the area. The intelligence also highlighted the troubling use of school children for drug trafficking, the misuse of prescription medications, and the inclusion of hard substances in local drinks consumed by young individuals.
Mr. Dokurgu informed GNA that the Assembly is taking proactive steps to combat this menace by collaborating with NACOC to introduce drug-free clubs in schools, aiming to promote peer education against substance abuse. The initiative also includes setting up toll-free lines for public reporting and training teachers to recognize signs of drug use among students. In addition, the Assembly plans to maintain community-wide awareness through local gatherings and discussions.
The MCE further stated that joint operations by the Commission and the Ghana Police Service are actively working to identify and shut down drug distribution points, particularly in vulnerable areas such as the Zongos. Mr. Dokurgu urged the youth to refrain from participating in drug-related activities, emphasizing that such actions not only harm their health but also impede their future prospects.