The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in collaboration with the Narcotic Control Commission (NACOC) and ENACT, is holding a workshop on the pilot project on alternatives to incarceration of persons with substance use disorders in Ghana.
The workshop, which opened in Accra on Monday, June 3, 2024, will last five days, ending this Friday, June 7, 2024.
The Director-General of NACOC, Kenneth Adu-Amanfoh, in a keynote address to open the workshop noted the importance of recognising the gravity of the challenge being faced.
He observed that substance use disorders continue to plague society, exacting a toll not only on individuals but on families, communities and the nation as a whole.
He continued that the traditional approach of incarceration has proven insufficient in addressing the root causes of addiction, often exacerbating rather than alleviating the problem.
“That is why the initiative we are embarking upon today is so crucial. By exploring alternatives to incarceration, we are not only demonstrating our commitment to justice and compassion but also recognising the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of their struggles,” he remarked.
He said that the alternative to the incarceration programme, which is designed to focus on treatment and recovery for People Who Use Drugs (PWUDs), is anticipated to result in the recovery of PWUDs, contributing to a safer and more crime-free society.
The pilot project, he opined, represents a significant step forward in the collective efforts to confront substance use disorders with empathy, innovation and evidence-based strategies.
“I am optimistic that with the multi-sectoral participants with varied expertise herein gathered at this 5-day workshop comprising presentations from subject matter experts and open discussions on drug treatment, rehabilitation, social reintegration and the need for the establishment of the Drug Recovery Court and its place in Ghana’s Criminal Justice System will set the foundational pillars for the pilot project,” Mr. Adu-Amanfoh said.
STATISTICS
It is estimated that 18% of the global prison population is incarcerated for drug-related crimes, which amounts to approximately two million people worldwide.
Often, these people are low-level offenders who use drugs or have drug use disorders.
According to the 2023 World Drug Report, about 296 million people used drugs at least once in 2021, and about 39.5 million of these people have SUD. Unfortunately, only 1 out of 5 people with SUD have access to any form of treatment.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated in 2020 that about 3.1 million people were arrested for drug-related offences at the global level, of which 61% were arrested for drug possession for personal use.
Also, among those convicted for drug-related offences, the majority were estimated to be in contact with the criminal justice system for personal use offences instead of trafficking offences.
GOV’T STEPS
The D-G, NACOC, Mr. Kenneth Adu-Amanfoh, told the participants from member states of ECOWAS that the government of Ghana had taken significant steps towards placing health and human rights at the heart of national drug policy.
This step, he noted, was evident through the enactment of the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020 (ACT 1019), which provides for a shift from incarceration to public health for persons with substance use.
Act 1019 also makes provision for the creation of a Substance Use Disorder Rehabilitation Fund to rehabilitate persons medically certified to be suffering from substance use disorder.
ECOWAS REP
The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, Ambassador Baba Gana Wakil, gave the context of the pilot project.
Stressing that traditional punitive measures for substance abuse have been a significant concern globally, he also referred to several reports to demonstrate the number of people who use drugs.
He said that the 2023 World Drug Report said about 296 million people used drugs at least once in 2021, and about 39.5 million of these people have SUD.
According to him, the proposed alternative aims to prioritise rehabilitation, mental health support, and community-based solutions over punitive measures.
He said that the objectives encompass promoting a coordinated response to drug offenders by providing drug treatment as an alternative to incarceration for individuals struggling with drug addiction.
