Ghana has still been ranked as the leading user of Marijuana in Africa and third in the world.

The Acting Head of Education of the Narcotics Control Board, Ernestina Adjei said this is according to latest United Nations (UN) reports on the use of the illegal drugs in the world.

In an interview with GBC, she also revealed that the UN world report on drugs also indicated that about 22 percent of Ghanaians of school going age are engaged in drug abuse a situation she described as worrying.

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Despite this ranking, she said that NACOB is committed to fighting the menace and its effect on the citizens and the country at large.

In a related development, the Drug Law Enforcement Unit of the Ghana Police Service has said that it will embark on an intensified outreach program for students and teachers in various educational institutions on the negative effects on the use of illegal drugs.

The Unit Commander at the Ashanti Regional Police Command, ASP Jeremiah Alale mentioned some innovative measures put in place by the police in the region to track down peddlers in the region.

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“Operation Trace the Root” has led to many successful arrests and prosecutions of drug offenders whose activities were posing a security threat to the people. He disclosed that most of the peddlers were arrested from their hideouts in Bantema, Kroform, Ashtown and other places all within the Kumasi Metropolis upon tipoff’s from the residents.”

“Start suspecting children if you see thread and syringe or when they start to wear perfume of high scent…it is an indication they may be engaging in drug-related activities. Monitor their demeanour, the kind of music they dance to and play”.

“A lot of criminals arrested are currently serving a minimum of ten years in jail were on hard drugs and committed crimes under influence of alcohol and other drugs”, he further explained.