The Drug Prevention Unit of the Eastern Regional Command (ERC) of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has intensified its series of drug sensitisation programmes for some selected schools within the New Juaben South Municipality in Koforidua.
According to the Commission, the ongoing exercise is part of measures to enhance its educational drive,
The exercise, NACOC says, was mainly to boost the educational drive of the Commission with some selected schools, including the Gatheco Basic School, Nana Kwaku Boateng Basic C School and Wesley Methodist Basic A School.
The programme seeks to enlighten students and staff on the negative effects of narcotic substances, the new trends of drug abuse, as well as train students on becoming peer educators.
Presentations from various speakers highlighted some commonly abused Legal/ Prescription Drugs like; Painkillers (including Paracetamol, Panadol, Pethidine, Tramadol), cough mixtures, alcohol, and energy drinks.
“The team stressed that though these drugs are legal, their abuse has serious adverse effects on the human body,” NACOC said in a statement on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Participants were also taken through some of the illegal and commonly abused drugs, which include marijuana, Cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well as ecstasy, opioids like RED and Heroin.
“Also, more light was thrown on the various derivatives of some of the illegal drugs, such as crack cocaine, tyre, weed toffee, wee solobo, strawberry, weed bitters, among others, whose use is increasing at an alarming rate among the youth.”
The beneficial students were advised to take their studies seriously and desist from negative peer influence that could lure them into drug abuse, which in the long run would destroy their future.
