The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has unveiled a new direction in its anti-drug campaign, shifting emphasis from arresting users to dismantling the networks of kingpins and dealers who drive the illegal trade.
Deputy Director-General Alexander Twum-Barimah explained that the commission’s earlier concentration on users yielded little impact. He stressed that targeting supply chains and ensuring airtight prosecutions will prove more effective than chasing after individual consumers. “We are building solid cases. If you rush and miss critical details, you may arrest a suspect but lose in court. We don’t want that. We want to ensure that when we strike, evidence stands beyond reasonable doubt,” he said.
Twum-Barimah made these remarks on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, August 25, in response to JoyNews’ Deadly Doses documentary, which highlighted rising drug abuse in Kumasi and its impact on communities. NACOC maintains that the new strategy is designed not only to disrupt dealer operations but also to protect young people, restrict access to narcotics, and curb the severe social and health consequences of drug abuse across the country.
