The Ashanti Regional Office of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has expressed concern over the increasing abuse of illicit drugs among young people, warning that the trend is contributing to indiscipline in senior high schools.
According to the Commission, the use of narcotic substances by some students is negatively affecting behaviour and creating disciplinary challenges for school authorities, teachers and guidance counsellors.
As part of activities leading to the 2026 World Drug Day commemoration, NACOC organised a seminar for guidance counsellors and teachers in the Ashanti Region to strengthen their capacity to identify and support students battling substance abuse.
Speaking at the event, the Ashanti Regional Commander of NACOC, Samuel Yebua, said the training was necessary due to growing concerns about drug use among students and its impact on academic institutions.
“Counselling is technical. To do it effectively, you need the right skills and knowledge. We receive referrals from schools and parents whose children are suspected of using drugs, and some schools even threaten to dismiss such students,” he said.
Mr Yebua noted that many schools are facing drug-related challenges but often lack the expertise needed to effectively manage such cases.
“We want to equip guidance and counselling teachers with the necessary knowledge so they can effectively address drug-related issues at the school level before they escalate,” he added.
The Regional Commander further indicated that some cases of student indiscipline may be linked to substance abuse, as some students use drugs to gain the confidence to challenge authority.
“One reason some students use drugs is to rebel against authority. They believe the substances give them the confidence to confront teachers and school authorities in ways they ordinarily would not,” he explained.
Participants at the seminar also raised concerns about the influence of social media platforms, particularly TikTok, which they said expose students to content that promotes drug use.
They called for increased resources and stronger support systems to help schools address substance abuse and its associated disciplinary problems.
The seminar forms part of NACOC’s broader public education campaign aimed at creating awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and encouraging preventive measures ahead of World Drug Day.
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