New efforts target pharmacists and traders amid rise in youth drug abuse
The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) has announced plans to intensify its crackdown on pharmacists and individuals illegally selling unprescribed drugs in Ghana. The move comes amid rising concerns over drug abuse, particularly among young people aged 12 to 35.
NACOB warned that decisive action would be taken against anyone found engaging in the unauthorised sale of drugs. Statistics show that around 50,000 Ghanaians abuse drugs, with students making up the majority. The Minister of the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, has urged religious leaders to join efforts to curb the crisis, noting its impact on national development.
NACOB’s Deputy Director-General, Twum Barima, stressed that violators would face severe legal consequences without the option of bail. He advised pharmacists and traders to stick to legally permitted substances, warning that selling dangerous drugs like “Red 225” would result in prosecution.
The Authority’s efforts are backed by the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), which criminalises the possession or sale of narcotic drugs without lawful authority. NACOB has also cautioned individuals to avoid using unapproved medications, warning of the devastating health risks associated with them.
The crackdown aims to protect public health, reduce substance abuse among Ghana’s youth, and ensure that the pharmaceutical industry operates within legal bounds.
Source: GhanaWeb