'Go back and save them' – Upper West NACOC boss charges school counsellors to tackle drug abuse
In the regional capital of Wa, a gathering of school counsellors and guidance coordinators recently received a stark reminder of their evolving role in Ghana’s educational system. The Upper West Regional Commander of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Bede Napane, challenged these educators to position themselves as the first line of defence against a growing tide of substance abuse among students.
Addressing participants at a World Drug Day seminar, Napane presented a sobering assessment: teachers and school counsellors are increasingly becoming first responders as more young people turn to tramadol and other unprescribed substances. His message was clear and direct – the battle against drug abuse cannot be left solely in the hands of security agencies; it must begin in the classroom.
This concern echoes previous warnings from NACOC about rising substance abuse among senior high school students, which the commission has linked to broader issues of indiscipline in educational institutions. The pattern suggests a need for early intervention strategies that reach students before they enter tertiary education.
“Go back and save them,” he urged the counsellors, calling on them to identify and support students who may be struggling with substance abuse. This framing positions educators not merely as academic instructors, but as critical intervention points in a public health challenge that has begun to manifest earlier and earlier in young people’s lives.
The seminar, organized by NACOC, aimed to equip guidance and counselling coordinators from various districts and schools with the skills needed to detect early signs of drug abuse among students and provide timely interventions. Participants described the training as transformative, with one coordinator noting how it opened their eyes to observable signs they had previously missed.
“This seminar has opened our eyes to things we must observe in our students,” one coordinator said. “We have a lot of students who are using these drugs, including tramadol. This workshop has equipped us to better support them in our schools.”
The training also included important cautions about the dangers of self-medication and the use of unprescribed drugs. As one participant emphasized, “Not every drug is beneficial to us, especially those that have not been prescribed by medical practitioners. Some drugs can adversely affect our health and even lead to premature death.”
Throughout his address, Napane stressed the need for a comprehensive approach that brings together schools, parents, health professionals and security agencies. He warned that without early intervention and sustained public education efforts, substance abuse could have serious consequences for students, families and communities.
This perspective reflects a growing recognition in public health circles that effective substance abuse prevention requires intervention at multiple levels, with educational institutions playing a pivotal role. By training counsellors to recognize early warning signs and provide appropriate support, NACOC aims to create a safety net that catches students before experimentation develops into dependency.
The approach also acknowledges the complex social factors that contribute to substance abuse among youth. Rather than treating it purely as a criminal justice issue, the NACOC initiative recognizes that prevention and early intervention require addressing the underlying social, psychological and environmental factors that make young people vulnerable to substance misuse.
As Ghana continues to grapple with rising concerns about drug abuse among young people, particularly the non-medical use of prescription medications like tramadol, initiatives that empower educators with practical skills represent an important component of a comprehensive public health strategy. The challenge now lies in ensuring that the training translates into sustained, effective practice in schools across the region.
