The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has revealed that about 47 percent of females between the ages of 15 and 65 engage in hard drugs.
As the world marks International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking on June 26 every year, the theme for this year’s celebration is ‘’People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention”.
Acting Director-Public Affairs and International Relations at (NACOC), Francis Opoku Amoah explained that women are also now abusing drugs
He mentioned that, ahead of this year’s celebration, the commission visited some rehabilitation centers and figures from the centers showed that, 47% of individuals who abuse drugs are females.
“Previously, when we talk about drug abuse, you will think about men but now figures from the rehabilitation centers we visited revealed that more females are engaging in drug abuse even though 53% of drug abusers are males”.
Mr. Amoah also mentioned that factors such as peer pressure, exploratory and relationship issues among others lead females into drug abuse.
In an interview, the acting director – Public Affairs and International Relations noted that most individuals abusing drugs are ignorant about the effects it might have on them hence there is a need for regular education to sensitize the youth on the dangers of drug abuse on their lives and the need for them to desist from it.
He also urged women whose partners lure them into such dangerous behaviours to quit the relationship.
Responding to ways to curb drug abuse among the youth, Francis Opoku Amoah stated that, the rehabilitation centers in the Country are not enough to help treat some of these people who have become drug addicts which is also a major problem in helping victims.
Again, he added that the law that changed its name from Narcotics Control Board to Narcotics Control Commission has also reviewed punishments given to those who are arrested for engaging in hard drug
“At first when one is arrested for abusing drugs and arraigned before court and found guilty, he or she is given at least five years imprisonment but now with the new law, people who are arrested for engaging in the hard drug are taken to court and the judges together with doctors will have to examine the fellow, and they will recommend if she or she should be taken to a rehabilitation center.”