The Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission, Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, has stressed that persons who are involved in the abuse of drugs are sick and therefore need assistance.

According to him, those known to be affected may come out of it when they are provided with the needed support and resources by the appropriate stakeholders.

Addressing professionals from Ghana Health Service, CHRAJ, Clinical Psychologists and volunteers among others at the Ghana West African Program to Combat AIDS and STI (WAPCAS Plus), Brig Gen Mantey said the drug abuse menace calls for effective collaboration among stakeholders to tackle the danger.

“We expect all stakeholders to come on board in dealing with the drug abuse menace at all levels to enable save more lives”

The Executive Director of WAPCAS Plus, Mrs. Comfort Asamoah-Adu on her part commended NACOC for its support and called on the public to desist from stigmatising persons living with HIV/AIDS.

“Stigma continues to hinder progress made in reducing HIV/AIDS”. She noted.

The Narcotics Control Commission collaborates with WAPCAS Plus to provide support services for persons who abuse drugs by injection to reduce the sharing of diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use.

Harm Reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in and respect for the rights of people who use drugs.

WAPCAS Plus is Civil Society Organisation (CSO) enhancing the health, human rights and economic empowerment of key and vulnerable populations in society with a mission to promote and provide quality health care, skills development, human rights and gender related services for key and vulnerable populations through capacity building, advocacy, education, operational research and collaboration with key partners.