The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) has appealed to the government to provide a national rehabilitation centre for drug addicts to be corrected and integrated into society.
Mr Rodger Vanderpuije, Greater Accra Regional Commander, NACOB, in an interview with the Ghanaian Times said that the country currently lacked a national rehabilitation centre to cater for addicts.
“Currently, addicted citizens receive treatment at health facilities across the country but these facilities are not fully equipped to handle these patients,” he added.
The Greater Accra Regional Commander noted that the health practitioners at the public health facilities were not adequately trained to rehabilitate drug addicts and those at the private facilities charged high prices which most could not afford.
He said NACOB in managing this challenge was in the process of training treatment managers and counselors at health centres to cater for the addicts but a national rehabilitation centre would have adequate provisions to cater for the rehabilitation and re-integration of the addicts.
Mr Vanderpuije, responding to the call for the legalisation of drugs, said NACOB was strongly against it because there were no structures to ensure that the citizens, especially the youth would not abuse it.
He noted that the calls from certain groups for the legalisation of drugs like marijuana because of its huge economical and medical benefits were not enough justification for its legalisation.
He cautioned that if a person wanted to cultivate marijuana for its economic benefits, the legal process to follow was through consultations with the Minister of Health and the Minister of Interior, whereby a permit would be issued to allow that person to set up a production plant.
Mr Vanderpuije added that, to that effect, NACOB would provide assistance to ensure that the drugs were not illegally distributed or smuggled out of the area of production or country.
He said the organisation had begun sensitisation among parents by targeting church groups and offices to brief parents on the effects of drug abuse.
“We are currently advocating against drug abuse. Initially we spoke to the children but we believe that educating parents would be the most effective means of preventing drug abuse among the youth,” he added.
He stressed the need for citizens to desist from abusing drugs especially the illegal types as the consequences could be severe.
BY FREDERICK GADESE-MENSAH
