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 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 soft drinks for patients at the facility.
Presenting the items, the Upper East Regional Commander of NACOC, Senior Narcotics Control Officer Saeed Abdul-Aziz, said the gesture formed part of the Commission’s broader mandate of reducing drug demand and supporting the recovery of people affected by substance abuse.
“Today’s donation is 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 disorder and assist institutions that are helping to rehabilitate them,” he said.
He explained that the Presbyterian Psychiatric Hospital has become an important partner in the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals referred by NACOC and therefore deserves support to enhance its operations.
Mr Abdul-Aziz noted that although the Commission could not immediately provide statistics on substance abuse in the region, its observations from community engagements and school outreach programmes indicate that drug abuse remains a growing concern, particularly among young people.
He said the Commission had observed a worrying trend where young people were increasingly mixing energy drinks with opioids such as tramadol and other substances instead of relying solely on cannabis.
“The trend is changing. We are seeing young people combining energy drinks with opioids and other substances. These are some of the practices we have observed during our educational engagements in schools and communities,” he stated.
According to him, the Commission is intensifying preventive education through school visits and recently organised a seminar for guidance and counselling coordinators in Senior High Schools to equip them to identify and support students at risk of substance abuse.
Deputy Regional Commander of NACOC, Narcotics Control Officer Marshal Abuchow, described drug abuse as a major threat to the future of Ghana’s youth, warning that addiction was increasingly denying many young people employment opportunities.
He cited recent recruitment exercises into the security services, where thousands of applicants reportedly failed mandatory drug screening tests.
“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 said.
Mr Abuchow urged community members to support the fight against drug trafficking by volunteering information to security agencies about individuals involved in the cultivation, sale, and distribution of illicit drugs.
“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 Commission decided to support the hospital because of its growing partnership with the facility in treating persons suffering from substance use disorders.
She disclosed that some of the clothing donated to the hospital had been contributed by neighbouring institutions following an appeal by NACOC, while the bread and drinks were meant to enable patients participate in the World Drug Day commemoration.
Receiving the items on behalf of the hospital, the Nurse-in-Charge, Vida Agongo, expressed gratitude to the Commission for what she described as a timely and thoughtful gesture.
“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 thanked the Commission, saying the donation reminded patients that they had not been forgotten by society.
“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.
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