ERC Enhances its Educational Outreach on Dangers of Substance Abuse

The Drug Prevention Unit of the Eastern Regional Command (ERC) of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), as part of its measures to enhance its educational drive, has organised a series of drug sensitisation programmes for some selected schools within the New Juaben South Municipality in Koforidua.

The exercise, which took place from Wednesday 23 to Friday 25 September 2026, was mainly to boost the educational drive of the Commission with some selected schools, including the Gatheco Basic School, Nana Kwaku Boateng Basic C School and Wesley Methodist Basic A School.

The programme seeks to enlighten students and staff on the negative effects of narcotic substances, the new trends of drug abuse, as well as train students on becoming peer educators.

Presentations from various speakers highlighted some commonly abused Legal/ Prescription Drugs like; Painkillers (including Paracetamol, Panadol, Pethidine, Tramadol), cough mixtures, alcohol, and energy drinks.
The team stressed that though these drugs are legal, their abuse has serious adverse effects on the human body.

Participants were also taken through some of the illegal and commonly abused drugs, which include marijuana, Cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well as ecstasy, opioids like RED and Heroin.

Also, more light was thrown on the various derivatives of some of the illegal drugs such as crack cocaine, tyre, weed toffee, wee solobo, strawberry, weed bitters, among others, whose use is increasing at an alarming rate among the youth.

Students were advised to take their studies seriously and desist from negative peer influence that could lure them into drug abuse, which in the long run would destroy their future.