PSG WANTS MORE REHAB CENTRES TO FIGHT DRUG ABUSE

Kumasi - THE PHARMACEUTICAL Society of Ghana ( PSG ) has called for the establishment of more rehabilitation centres as an effective way of controlling drug addiction.

It has also urged Parliament to expedite the passage of the Bill against Tobacco smoking.

Mr.  Frank A.  Boateng, President of PSG raised these concerns at a meeting with media men, health professionals and pharmacists in Kumasi last Friday, to mark the International Day against Drug abuse and Drug trafficking.

Dwelling on "Treament really works", the theme for the observation of the day set aside by the United Nations, Boateng said illicit drug trafficking was a global problem affecting about 200 million worldwide.

He said this practice cut across all segments of society and called on the Narcotic Control Board and other agencies to collaborate in stepping up efforts to educate the people on all forms of drug abuse, in addressing what he called "a big issue."

Pointing to the direct linkage between drugs and increased crime wave, he said 50% of crimes and violence were commited by drug addicts.  Boateng noted that drug abuse undermined the government's economic activities and corrupted legitimate businesses, adding it is also responsible for lost wages, broken families and deteriorating communities.

He stressed the need for concerted efforts to fight this canker, to save the nation from spending huge monies on the rehabilitation of addicts.

The PSG head commended the role of the law enforcement agencies, particularly the Police and Immigration Service and urged the Ministry of Interior and other multilateral agencies not to relent in their efforts to equip the Police with requisite and modern equipment to fight the menace.

He as well commended Remar International, a Catholic NGO for its role in the rehabilitation of drug addicts.

Boateng pledged PSG's preparedness to offer its expertise to collaborate efforts of the law enforcement agencies in the crusade.