{
  "id": 19780250,
  "title": "45% of Madina youth have used drugs — NACOC",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/45-of-madina-youth-have-used-drugs-nacoc",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-13T08:18:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghanaian Times",
    "slug": "ghanaian-times",
    "url": "https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/45-of-madina-youth-have-used-drugs-nacoc/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has designated Madina, a suburb of Accra, as a key area for drug prevention and enforcement following a study that found 45% of young people in the region have used substances non-medically. NACOC Director-General, Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, revealed that the study involved responses from youth in Madina, Tema West, Adentan, and Pantang, providing essential data to inform interventions against substance abuse. The study showed that while most young people in Madina were aware of the dangers of drugs, usage rates remained high. Approximately 80% of users wanted to quit, but only 10% received assistance; stress was the primary cause of relapse, with fewer than 1% receiving formal treatment. Mantey emphasized the need to shift from awareness campaigns and arrests to providing support for those struggling with substance use. NACOC aims to intensify drug supply control and prevention efforts in Madina and welcomes recommendations from experts and institutions working on the issue.",
  "summary": "THE Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has identified Madina, a suburb of Accra, as a priority zone for drug prevention and enforcement after a study revealed that 45 per cent of young people in the area have used substances for non-medical purposes. Against this backdrop, the Commission has stepped up efforts to address drug abuse, strengthen … The post 45% of Madina youth have used drugs —…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}