NACOC joins New Juaben North town hall meetings on drug abuse and community development

The Eastern Regional Command (ERC) of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has participated in this year's town hall meetings organised by the New Juaben North Municipal Assembly to discuss issues affecting communities within the municipality.

The meetings, held from Tuesday, October 6 to Thursday, October 15, 2026, focused on key concerns including sanitation, drug abuse, security, healthcare, roads and other developmental needs.

The exercise covered Asokore, Oyoko, Akwadum and their surrounding communities, bringing together chiefs, residents, heads of departments and representatives of various government institutions to discuss challenges confronting the communities.

Representing NACOC at the meetings were NCO Millicent Badu and SNDO Eric Adu Amponsah. They took participants through the mandate of the Commission, the dangers associated with drug abuse and the need for communities to work together to prevent substance abuse, particularly among young people.

NCO Millicent Badu explained NACOC's mandate in the areas of drug education and prevention, enforcement and control, precursor chemicals control, as well as counselling, treatment, referral, rehabilitation and social reintegration.

She highlighted the dangers of substance abuse, particularly among young people, and called on parents, community leaders and other stakeholders to play an active role in preventing drug use.

She also encouraged participants to support individuals experiencing substance use disorders (SUD) as a result of drug abuse and urged them to seek professional help instead of being insulted, stigmatised or isolated.

SNDO Eric Adu Amponsah, meanwhile, educated participants on Ghana's cannabis regulatory framework, including the various types of cannabis licences available and the general requirements for obtaining them.

He encouraged investors and entrepreneurs to explore opportunities available under the country's cannabis legislation.

Mr Amponsah further called on schools, churches, community members, associations, youth groups, institutions, traditional authorities, families and other stakeholders to collaborate with NACOC in educating the public and raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse to promote healthier communities.

Following presentations by heads of departments from the Municipal Assembly and representatives of other government institutions, an open forum was held to allow community members to ask questions and raise concerns.

The discussions covered drug abuse and cannabis regulation, sanitation, security, healthcare, roads and other developmental needs within the communities.

In his closing remarks, the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Samuel Adongo, urged community members and opinion leaders to report issues affecting their communities to their Assemblymen and zonal council representatives for the necessary action.

He also encouraged traditional authorities, families and community members to collaborate with NACOC in the fight against substance abuse within the municipality and advised young people to adopt a drug-free lifestyle.

The town hall meetings were attended by the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Samuel Adongo, the Municipal Chief Director, officials of the Assembly, traditional leaders, Assemblymen, residents, and heads of various departments and institutions.