The Eastern Regional Command (ERC) of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), in collaboration with the Eastern Regional Office of the Pharmacy Council, have donated some pharmaceutical products to the inmates of the Koforidua Male Prisons.
The presentation was mainly to support inmates who are noted to be suffering from Substance Use Disorders (SUD).
The donation was in response to appeals made to the Counselling Unit of NACOC ERC during their counselling sessions by the inmates who are experiencing withdrawal symptoms of Substance Use Disorders.
The items consisting of capsules, tablets, syrups, and injectables, totalling over Two Hundred and Forty-Eight (248) different medications.
Both parties, namely the Pharmacy Council and NACOC ERC, commended the efforts put in place by the Ghana Prisons Service in reforming and rehabilitating convicts for reintegration into society, and it is for this reason that they came on board to help the inmates suffering from withdrawal symptoms in their recovery journey.
The Eastern Regional Commander of the Narcotics Control Commission, PNCO Philomena Obenewaa Sackar, in her remarks, expressed satisfaction with the counselling sessions carried out and advised inmates to adhere to the protocols set up by the authorities of the Prisons Service, as well as take their sessions seriously.
They were urged to refrain from all forms of acts that would set their lives into retrogression but take up the opportunity to reform their lives and come out being better people.
The inmates were also encouraged to consider opening up to talk to experts, mainly for their concerns to be known and addressed, in order for them to receive the needed help in their recovery process.
On his part, the Eastern Regional Manager of the Pharmacy Council, Reverend Benjamin Narh Borkor, commended the inmates with SUDS background for having the courage and availing themselves to be assisted.
He noted that the acceptance by some of the affected inmates is a step towards coping with addiction to substance misuse and urging them to continue in their quest to overcome the drug abuse menace that confronts them.
Rev. Benjamin also urged the inmates to maintain hope and realise that this is not the end of their lives but rather a learning opportunity to turn all of their negatives into positives.
He also wondered about the idea of employing some of the inmates getting treatment to raise awareness among young people, particularly students, about the destructive repercussions of substance misuse.
This, he believes, will inspire kids to live a drug-free lifestyle. Receiving the items on behalf of the Koforidua Prison Service, Chief Superintendent Godfred Apeatu, Deputy Officer-In-Charge of the Koforidua Male Prisons Service, expressed his gratitude for the donations and stated that the medicines would go a long way towards meeting the inmates’ health needs.
The Officer-In-Charge of the Koforidua Prison Counselling Unit, DSP Francis Dogbe Komla, praised the team for their efforts and stated how valuable this donation would be to the convicts, particularly those suffering from Substance Use Disorders.
Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the donation, describing it as timely, as it will help them recover and remain focused.
