The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has renewed its call for collective action against drug abuse, stressing the need to safeguard the mental well-being of young people as Ghana prepares to mark World Drug Day on June 26, 2026.
Speaking in an interview on A1 Radio, a NACOC official, Shadrack Akrofi-Quarcoo, highlighted the commission’s focus on controlling the misuse of substances that can impair judgment and alter perception.
He expressed concern about the impact of drug abuse on young people, noting that substances capable of affecting cognitive functions can make individuals vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation. According to him, the commission’s efforts are aimed at ensuring that young people maintain sound judgment and are able to contribute positively to society.
“We are not just against drugs, we are trying to control the use of drugs that have the potential to affect the way people think.”
The NACOC official further linked substance abuse to wider social challenges, including conflict and violence, arguing that impaired decision-making often fuels destructive behaviour. He said protecting the mental health of young people remains a key priority in the commission’s fight against drug abuse.
Mr. Akrofi-Quarcoo emphasized that education, employment, and empowerment initiatives are most effective when individuals are mentally capable of making informed decisions. He noted that substance abuse can undermine these opportunities by altering a person’s ability to function effectively in society.
“We are trying to protect the minds of young people so that drugs do not alter the way they see reality and from there, we can now bring in education. You cannot educate a person whose mind is condemned. You cannot empower him, you can’t give him a job to do. He can’t function in anything because the mind is altered,” he said.
He also raised concerns about the growing exposure of children and adolescents to drug-related influences, indicating that awareness of drugs has increasingly penetrated primary, junior high, and senior high schools. To address the challenge, NACOC has been supporting awareness campaigns, including the use of peer education messages in which young people encourage their colleagues not to experiment with drugs.
According to him, preventing first-time drug use is critical, as substance abuse becomes significantly more difficult to overcome once it begins to affect an individual’s perceptions, preferences, and behaviour.
“The primary levels, Junior High School, SHS, infiltrated with the concept of the drugs. I think we have a few videos of young people who are warning other young people not to start. The problem is with the start because once you start it and it alters your perception, your taste and your preferences, it is very difficult to stop,” he stressed.
As the world prepares to observe World Drug Day, NACOC is calling on communities, parents, educators, and other stakeholders to support efforts aimed at reducing drug abuse and protecting the future of Ghana’s youth.
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