The Eastern Regional Command of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has organized a Health Walk through the principal streets of Koforidua. This event was to commemorate the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (World Drug Day) under the theme, “The Evidence is Clear; Invest in Prevention.”
The World Drug Day Commemoration Health Walk was graced by officers from NACOC, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Prisons Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, as well as students from Koforidua Secondary Technical High School.
The Health Walk started from Koforidua Prisons Park, through the B Foster Traffic Light to Koforidua Total 2 & 1 Filling Stations, through Koforidua Melcom, and later ended at Koforidua Jubilee Park.
World Drug Day, celebrated annually on June 26, is set aside by the United Nations General Assembly for member states to raise awareness of the risks and effects of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking, as well as to consider the most effective countermeasures. The day also serves as a motivating factor to increase action and collaboration to realize the objective of a global civilization free from drug usage and to develop preventive programs to combat the risks that illegal drugs bring to global security and governance.
Addressing the students at the Koforidua Jubilee Park, the Eastern Regional Commander of the Narcotics Control Commission, SNCO Grace A-B Tawiah, advised the students to detach themselves from peers who abuse drugs to prevent being lured into the abuse of illegal substances such as cannabis (in all forms: marijuana/weed/wee, hashish, wee toffee, wee sobolo, and the like), heroin, and cocaine.
She stressed that if the youth take the bold step of staying away from drugs, our communities will gradually be rid of these substances. A drug-free society is always peaceful.
SNCO Grace further stated that because the cost of feeding the habit of drug use is very high, abusers who do not have the funds tend to resort to theft, burglary, and armed robbery. They are often forced to trade some of their personal belongings like mobile phones and money in exchange for drugs.
The Regional Commander used the opportunity to thank the partners who made the World Drug Day Commemoration Health Walk possible: Promasidor Ghana, Linda Dor, Mumuadu Rural Bank, FairAfric, Joy Industries, Pam Pharmaceuticals, SIRCOOL Mineral Water from CSIR, Love Enterprise, and Kanis Frozen Food.
She also thanked the security personnel, students, and staff of Koforidua Secondary Technical Senior High School for their unfailing support in making the Commemoration Health Walk a success.
By: Bright Owusu/newsalertgh.com
