Dr. Woode, who was addressing a general meeting of the Assembly, said management was mapping out a strategy to tackle the growing trend of drug abuse across the district.

He said the social services sub-committee of the Assembly had been tasked to liaise with relevant agencies like Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Pharmaceutical Council to come up with strategies to prevent people from buying unprescribed drugs, especially tramadol.

“The situation is very worrying nowadays. A lot of young people are seen carrying water bottles around which contain drugs of all kinds.

If we don't step in to nip the situation in the bud, we will soon be overwhelmed with the situation,” Dr Woode said.

On illegal mining, the Akrofuom DCE said the Assembly had already formed electoral area taskforce to deal with the situation.  

Illegal mining, especially in water bodies, has become a topical issue in the country in recent times and the Akrofuom District has had its fair share of the devastating effects of the enterprise.

The DCE said, putting together taskforce in the electoral areas was the most cost effective and proactive way to deal with the canker.

The membership of the taskforce includes the Assembly Members, traditional rulers, unit committee members and the miners, he disclosed.

“The electoral area taskforce will help to sanitise the system and deal with any miner who destroys water bodies and those who do not reclaim the land after mining,” he pointed out.

Mr. Emmanuel Obeng, the Presiding Member, reiterated the need to clamp down on the increasing use of drugs, which he said was leading to an increase in criminal activities and school dropouts.

He said as part of the measures put in place to curb the situation, the Assembly would intensify public education on the consequences of drug use in schools.