More women getting involved in drug related crimes

The number of women arrested for possessing hard drugs like cocaine, heroin and marijuana went up to 29 in 2001 from 10 in 2000.

Statistics made available in Accra on Wednesday by the Narcotic Control Board indicated that 1,066 people were arrested in connection with drug related crimes last year compared to 981 in 2000.

Those arrested for possessing marijuana rose from 889 in 2000 to 943 in 2001. The figure for heroine also rose from 59 to 73 but the number of people arrested for cocaine dropped from 33 to 26 for the period under review.

In addition, 14 people were arrested for possessing and using both heroin and cocaine during the period. Col Isaac Kwasi Akuoko (rtd), Executive Secretary of the Board, said the disturbing figures on drug cases demanded greater effort by all especially families of victims to help fight it.

He said if parents, teachers and chiefs would put in more effort to educate their people on the dangers and harmful effects of drugs these figures would reduce. Col Akuoko said the Board was identifying marijuana-growing areas and added that public information on these areas would be useful.