NACOB to crack down on pharmacists and traders of unprescribed drugs
The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) has announced a firm crackdown on pharmacists and individuals involved in the illegal sale of unprescribed and unauthorised drugs, as the country witnesses a concerning rise in drug abuse—especially among young people.
Concerns Grow Over Youth Drug Abuse in Ghana
According to recent statistics, approximately 50,000 Ghanaians abuse drugs, with nearly 35,000 being students aged between 12 and 35 years. This alarming data has sparked urgent calls for collaborative solutions to curb substance misuse and prevent its long-term impact on national development.
Interior Minister Calls for Religious Involvement
Speaking on the issue, Minister of the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, urged religious and community leaders to play an active role in addressing the crisis.
“We are moving away from the traditional drugs that we all know, and people are going into medications that we all know are useful and are tinkering with them… help us in identifying what you can also do to help curb this menace,” he said.
No Bail for Offenders – NACOB Warns
NACOB’s Deputy Director-General, Twum Barima, stressed that all offenders would face prosecution without the option for bail.
“Don’t get yourself involved in something that if the law gets you, you will struggle to come out. The law is no respecter of persons… If it gets you, it has gotten you.”
He issued a stern warning to individuals involved in trafficking or selling controlled medications like Red 225 or Red 50.
“You may think it is in your bag… we will know, and we will come after you.”
Legal Framework: Backed by the Narcotics Control Commission Act
NACOB’s intensified campaign is grounded in Section 37 (1)(2) of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), which states:
“A person who, without lawful authority… has possession or control of a narcotic drug for use or for trafficking commits an offense.”
Violators face strict penalties, including imprisonment, fines, or both, depending on the gravity of the offense.
A National Health Crisis
The sale and consumption of unprescribed drugs have long plagued Ghana’s healthcare landscape, causing serious health complications such as overdoses, psychological disorders, and even death. NACOB’s renewed action is aimed at protecting public health and dismantling illegal supply chains.
A Final Warning
In his closing remarks, Twum Barima cautioned:
“The best advice anybody can give you is to refrain from it… the best you can get from it is to destroy your own life.”
NACOB is expected to roll out more community-level education and surveillance to ensure compliance and enforcement of the Act.
