| |
 |
| |
SPONSORSHIP
AD HERE |
|
 |
|
|
Social
/ Feature
|
|
Cocaine usage fast spreading in Ghana
Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanadot
Accra, March 22, Ghanadot -
Ghana, the beacon of democracy in Africa is battling
with high cocaine usage among its citizens,
especially those in urban centres.
Although, the country’s law frowns upon the
importation, manufacture, and use of the cocaine for
non-medical purposes, many people obtain it
illegally and use it for both criminal and pleasurable
activities.
The use of cocaine can be dangerous to the
individual, the community and whole nation at large.
As it costs the country colossal sums of money to
rehabilitate cocaine addicts.
Historically, the illegal use of cocaine in Ghana
came to crescendo in the 1980s when it was
introduced to the ghettos where then marijuana use
was the common phenomenon.
It became an expensive habit when
it got to the rich in society
and with time now cuts
across all economic levels
of society;
from the wealthy to the impoverished, including the
youth as well as the adults.
Mr. Ken Chinery-Hesse (real name withheld), who is a cocaine
addict narrated his experience to the Ghanadot at
Adabraka, a suburb of Accra.
He revealed that, he spends a minimum of GH¢20.00
per day to satisfy his crave for the drug “but when
I have a lot of money, I can spend about 90% of it
on drugs”.
Heroine and cocaine are currently sold in wrapped
foil the size of a tablet ranging between GH¢1.50.00
to GH¢4.00 at the various ghettos where they are
available.
‘I have seen friends blowing millions of Ghanaian
cedis on drugs, especially, cocaine in a day and you
will marvel at the compulsive desire to spend all
ones money on it. Whatever means one uses to get
‘high’ a feeling of euphoria is produced with one
feeling powerful and alert, which wears off in a
short while only for the craving to come back
strongly’, Mr.
Chinery-Hesse lamented.
Sometimes, an addict is prepared to do anything to
satisfy the drug crave if it is even means
committing a crime to hands on money, he stressed.
Mr. Chinery-Hesse
described the day he was
first exposed through peer
pressure to the drug. He described
the experience as an “abominable
act," saying the drug consumption has damaged his
life completely.
According to him, friends who were one affluent and
held in high esteem in society have now been reduced
through drug habit to paupers and beggars on the
streets.
Since many addicts do not eat nourishing food or
maintain good personal hygiene, showing his
emancipated body, Mr. Kwadwo
indicated that he has
been compelled because of drugs to give out his six
children away to relatives while he scavenges for
metals to meet his drug needs.
“My greatest regret was when I secretly introduced
my wife into drugs which left both of us at
disadvantage to fend our children”.
When quizzed whether the cocaine sellers also use
the drugs, he answered in the negative saying “most
of them are aware of our predicament so they shy
away knowing the consequences”.
Mr. Kwadwo explained that he been battling for
sometime to stop and asked why he had not consulted
any professional for assistance; he insisted that he
can muster courage to stop on his own.
A visit to some of the ghettos across the city by
the Ghanadot showed the booming side of the business
amidst what could be described as misery and
hopelessness.
Amidst the deprivation and desperation written
boldly on their faces of these drug addicts, “the
pushers”, who are the “small flies” in the chain of
the drug business could be seen in smart dresses
spotting ‘golden necklaces and rings’, and looking
like royals.
Public concern about the drug problems led to a
demand for greater law enforcement efforts with many
countries increasing penalties for illegal sale and
possession of drugs.
Drug barons in Latin America who
were finding it
difficult to use North American routes have
decided to use the West Coast of Africa as their
transit point because of the non-existence of strong
maritime surveillance system.
To dissuade drug trafficking, Ghana has set severe
punishment for anyone convicted of these crimes.
Drug dealers can receive a minimum sentence of five
or ten years in prison.
The Narcotic Control Board (NACOB), Ghana’s
anti-crime department that combats drug trafficking
with the assistance of other state agencies, last
year intercepted cocaine being smuggled through
Ghana which ran into several kilogrammes.
Ghanadot |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
Cocaine usage fast
spreading in Ghana
Accra, March 22, Ghanadot - Ghana, the
beacon of democracy in Africa is battling with
high cocaine usage among its citizens,
especially those in urban centres.
....More
|
|
|
NDC
MINORITY
CONFIRM
TUESDAY
RETURN
TO
PARLIAMENT
Ghanadot
– As
reported
on
this
website
this
week,
the
National
Democratic
Congress
Minority
caucus
in
Parliament
is
set
to
return
to
Parliament
on
Tuesday
February
20......More
|
|
|
|
|
Water: A Worldwide Problem
Accra, March 22, Ghanadot - Water, the number one
basic necessity of life, covers two-thirds of the Earth’s
surface. But only 2.5% of this constitutes fresh water,
while less than 1% is usable. ......More |
|
|
Drug trafficking posing serious
threat to Ghana’s Democracy?
Commentary, March 22, Ghanadot - Drug trafficking trade
is posing a serious threat to Ghana’s democracy as the country
is being engulfed with contract killings, armed robberies and
other anti-social behaviours which are inimical to the
devolvement of the country.....More |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
SPONSORSHIP AD HERE |
|
|
|
|
|
