The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has raised concerns over the increasing number of young people in Ghana being exposed to drug use, with new data showing that some users begin taking drugs before the age of 15.
NACOC Director-General, Major General Maxwell Obuba, disclosed that a 2025 study by the University of Ghana School of Public Health found that 10% of people who use drugs in Ghana started before turning 15, while 54% began using drugs before the age of 19.
According to Major General Obuba, the figures demonstrate the extent to which drug use and opioid misuse have affected some communities and exposed children and adolescents to the harmful consequences of substance abuse.
He made the disclosure on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in Kumasi during Ghana’s International Youth Day celebration.
NACOC Calls for Early Drug Abuse Prevention
Major General Obuba called for stronger drug abuse prevention programmes, public education and support services to address substance use among young people.
He stressed that prevention efforts must begin early to protect children and teenagers from developing substance use disorders later in life.
The NACOC Director-General said families, schools, communities and government institutions all have an important role to play in educating young people about the dangers of drug use.
He also urged stakeholders to ensure that individuals who are at risk of substance abuse have access to appropriate support, treatment and rehabilitation services.
Opioid Misuse Raises Concern in Ghana
Major General Obuba expressed particular concern about the spread of opioid use and misuse in some Ghanaian communities.
He noted that the statistics should prompt policymakers and stakeholders to take a closer look at the factors contributing to early exposure to drugs and strengthen measures to protect vulnerable young people.
1,179 People Received Drug Treatment in 2025
The NACOC Director-General further revealed that 1,179 people received treatment for substance use disorders in 2025 through 30 treatment centres across Ghana.
Of those who received treatment, 88.5% were between 20 and 44 years old, highlighting the impact of substance use on people within their economically productive years.
The figures underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing drug abuse in Ghana, combining law enforcement with prevention, education, treatment and rehabilitation.
NACOC Urges Collective Action Against Drug Abuse
NACOC is calling for stronger cooperation among parents, schools, communities, health professionals and government agencies to reduce drug use among Ghanaian youth.
The Commission believes that early intervention, effective public education and accessible treatment services can help prevent young people from developing substance use disorders and reduce the broader social and economic impact of drug abuse in Ghana.
The latest statistics have renewed calls for intensified efforts to protect Ghana’s youth and tackle the growing challenges associated with drug use, opioid misuse and substance abuse.
Source: newsthemegh.com