{
  "id": 13961007,
  "title": "Gov’t introduces mental health and drug tests for security recruits amid suicide concerns – Interior Minister",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/govt-introduces-mental-health-and-drug-tests-for-security-recruits-13961007",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-12T12:41:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/govt-introduces-mental-health-and-drug-tests-for-security-recruits-amid-suicide-concerns-interior-minister/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Interior Minister Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka announced that the government will introduce mental health assessments and drug testing into medical screening for security service recruits. This move comes in response to concerns about drug use among personnel and recent suicide cases within the services. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Muntaka explained that the decision followed observations of serving officers struggling with drug-related problems, raising questions about how they had passed the recruitment process.\n\nA review of existing medical screening requirements revealed that mental health assessments and drug tests had not been included previously. The government decided to incorporate these additional checks to identify potential challenges early and strengthen the recruitment process. Muntaka stressed the need to address these issues promptly to strengthen the security forces.\n\nThe minister also cited suicide cases among security personnel in 2025 and 2026 as a key reason for the intervention. He announced that security agencies must establish dedicated welfare desks to closely monitor officers facing mental health and drug-related challenges. Personnel welfare must extend beyond traditional support measures to ensure those struggling with such issues can be identified and receive proper support.\n\nConcerning drug-related activities among young people, Muntaka highlighted that the Narcotics Control Commission conducted over 2,117 drug education programs across the country in 2025. These programs reached schools, churches, mosques, and organized groups, complementing enforcement efforts with public education. However, he expressed particular concern about a growing trend of secondary school students allegedly selling drugs within their schools. Drawing a parallel to past practices where pupils secretly sold sweets in classrooms, Muntaka emphasized that this has evolved into students directly engaging in drug sales, rather than merely receiving them from outsiders.",
  "summary": "The Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, has revealed that the government is introducing mental health assessments and drug testing into medical screening for security service recruits, following concerns about drug use among personnel and suicide cases within the services. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, October 12, Mr Muntaka said […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Gov’t introduces mental health and drug tests for security recruits amid suicide concerns – Interior Minister",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/govt-introduces-mental-health-and-drug-tests-for-security-recruits",
        "published": "2026-10-12T12:13:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}