Major General Maxwell Obuba, Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), revealed that roughly 82,500 individuals in Ghana consume illicit substances, with the Ashanti Region alone accounting for approximately 16,300 users.
Speaking at an International Youth Day event in Kumasi on Wednesday, August 12, he noted that these figures encompass hard drugs like cocaine, heroin, tramadol, and methamphetamine, but omit cannabis, which remains the country’s most widely misused substance.
The NACOC head voiced grave concern over how substance abuse damages young lives and threatens public well-being.
“Research conducted by the University of Ghana School of Public Health in 2025 estimated that there are 82,500 people who use drugs in Ghana. Out of this, 16,300 are from the Ashanti Region,” he said.
Major General Obuba highlighted additional findings showing that HIV prevalence among drug users in the Ashanti Region has reached 6.6%, a rate far exceeding the national average of 1.4%.
These alarming metrics underscore an urgent need for robust prevention measures and expanded public education tailored to young people.
Addressing the crisis requires holistic action beyond simple prevention, including robust medical and social support systems for affected individuals.
Families, educational institutions, and local communities must unite to shield youth from substance abuse, while young people themselves must make healthy decisions to protect their futures.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana