In the revealing documentary “Swallowed by Drugs,” Superintendent Mr. Godwin Kpakpoe Moi, Upper East Regional Crime Officer, sheds light on the multifaceted role of the Ghana Police Service in addressing drug and alcohol abuse, especially among the youth.
Supt. Moi emphasized that the police are not only focused on making arrests, but are engaged in a broad, strategic effort to prevent and reduce the consequences of drug abuse across the region. “Our work is layered,” he explained. “It involves intelligence, prevention, partnerships, and, importantly, protecting vulnerable groups such as the youth.”
A critical part of the police mandate is the enforcement of drug laws and the disruption of supply chains. Supt. Moi described how law enforcement agencies work to identify and dismantle the operations of drug producers, distributors, and traffickers. “We employ methods like surveillance, informant networks, undercover operations, controlled deliveries, and border checkpoints. The aim is to cut off the supply, because reducing the availability of drugs means fewer young people are exposed to them,” he noted.
When offenders are apprehended, the police seize drugs, chemicals, and other paraphernalia. In severe cases, assets such as vehicles and bank accounts used in trafficking are confiscated. These actions not only remove drugs from circulation but also disrupt the financial incentives driving the trade.
Recognizing that enforcement alone cannot solve the problem, Supt. Moi highlighted the importance of community policing. “We have become more receptive and open in our approach. We conduct outreach programs in schools, churches, mosques, youth clubs, markets, and lorry parks to educate people about the dangers of drug use and the tactics of dealers,” he said.
Through these outreach initiatives, the police inform the public about how drugs fuel crime and encourage citizens to report suspicious activities. They also work closely with schools, training teachers to spot early signs of drug use among students and establishing police-school liaison units to foster ongoing communication.
The police also collaborate with guidance counselors and social workers to direct at-risk youth toward help before addiction takes hold. “We are not therapists, but we play a key role in referring drug-dependent individuals to rehabilitation centers,” Supt. Moi explained. He stressed that not every case ends in prosecution; instead, the police support diversion programs, drug courts, and the reintegration of rehabilitated youth back into society.
Supt. Moi acknowledged the broader dangers of drug markets, which often attract violence, exploitation, fraud, and gang activity. “We work to remove dangerous individuals from the community, shut down drug dens, and patrol hospitals, schools, and community centers to keep them safe,” he said. The police also collaborate with health, education, and social welfare services, as well as with community and opinion leaders.
He cited international partnerships with organizations like Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which provide training and resources for local officers to better identify and tackle the drug problem.
Supt. Moi concluded his remarks with a call for ongoing collaboration. The challenges posed by substance abuse, he said, require joint efforts from law enforcement, healthcare, social services, educators, community leaders, and the public. “Our fight goes far beyond the arrest of suspects. It is about prevention, education, protection, and giving the youth a fighting chance for a healthy, productive future.”
His message in “Swallowed by Drugs” reflects the police service’s evolving approach—one that balances enforcement with compassion, and recognizes that solving the substance abuse crisis demands the involvement of the entire community.
