14 drug addicts embrace therapy, integration into society
Fourteen drug addicts in Ahinsan and its environs in the Asokwa Municipality of Ashanti, have willingly offered themselves to undergo rehabilitation after receiving counselling from officials of the Narcotics Control Commission.
They were among 50 addicts, who received counselling when the Commission, in collaboration with FRHAH Rehabilitation Centre in Kumasi, visited some ‘ghettos’ at Ahinsan, where the addicts stayed.
After the counselling, 14 addicts suffering from substance use disorders, agreed to be taken to the rehabilitation centre for treatment and care.
Mr Samuel Yeboah, Ashanti Regional Commander of the Narcotics Control Commission, told the Ghanaian Times, after the exercise, that it was the duty of the Commission to regularly visit people suffering from substance abuse and drug- related challenges and give them counselling.
He said it had been a routine operation of the Commission to give such persons information and counselling aimed at changing their lifestyles.
In view of that, Mr Yeboah said, the Commission collaborated with the rehabilitation centre to tackle problems facing drug addicts.
In 2021 and 2023, he said, the Commission was able to convince some of them to go to the rehabilitation centre for care.
Mr Yeboah said integrating them into their families after their discharge from the rehabilitation centre, has been a problem.
He mentioned that a programme has been drawn to follow up on those discharged from the centre, to ensure that they do not return to the “ghettos”, but to be integrated into society.
Mr Yeboah thanked the FRHAH rehabilitation centre for the support to help the addicts get a meaningful lifestyle.
Manager of the FRHAH Rehabilitation Centre, Ken Hammond, said it was the duty of all well-meaning citizens to ensure that drug addicts were rehabilitated and integrated fully into society.
He said currently the centre had over 100 inmates undergoing rehabilitation, and called on philanthropists and benevolent individuals and organisations to support its work.
The Commission donated toiletries, bags of rice, water, and other assorted items to the centre.
Some of the inmates, who interacted with the Ghanaian Times said they had been rejected by their families and friends.
They promised to stop abusing drug, and go through the processes to reintegrate them into society.
“I give thanks to God for this opportunity, I have tried to stop drugs but…now I will eat good food, get clothes and have a nice place to sleep, it will help me to put up myself and live a good life,” one of them said.
FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI
