About 82,500 people in Ghana use drugs – NACOC

The Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Major General Maxwell Obuba, has disclosed that an estimated 82,500 people in Ghana use drugs, with the Ashanti Region accounting for approximately 16,300 of them.

He said the figures cover people who use substances including heroin, cocaine, tramadol and methamphetamine but exclude cannabis, which he identified as the most widely abused drug in the country.

Major General Obuba disclosed the figures in Kumasi on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, during activities marking International Youth Day.

He expressed concern about the growing impact of substance abuse on young people and warned of the serious health and social consequences associated with drug use.

“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.

The NACOC Director-General also highlighted findings from the study on HIV prevalence among people who use drugs in the Ashanti Region.

According to him, HIV prevalence among people who use drugs in the region is 6.6%, significantly higher than the national prevalence of 1.4%.

Major General Obuba said the statistics underscored the urgent need for stronger measures to prevent drug use and mitigate its impact on individuals and communities.

He called for increased public education and prevention programmes, particularly those targeting young people, while stressing the importance of providing adequate support for people struggling with substance use.

He noted that tackling drug abuse required a comprehensive approach that combines prevention, education, treatment and support.

Major General Obuba further urged families, schools and communities to intensify efforts to protect young people from drug use and its associated health and social risks.

He also encouraged young people to stay away from drug abuse and make informed decisions to protect their health and future.