The Director of Pantang Hospital, Dr Yennusom Maalug, has criticised the current approach adopted by the Ghana Police Service in tackling the country’s drug abuse crisis, describing it as unsustainable and counterproductive.
Speaking on the Health segment of Amansan TV’s Breakfast Show on Monday, February 23, 2026, Dr Maalug took issue with what he termed “Rambo-style” operations carried out by the Inspector General of Police’s Special Operations team.
The operations, which often involve storming ghettos and known hideouts of suspected drug users and traffickers, have drawn public attention due to their aggressive execution.
According to Dr Maalug, these raids are frequently characterised by the physical manhandling of suspects and the seizure of vehicles measures he argues place emphasis on spectacle rather than sustainable intervention.
“The punitive approach adopted by the IGP’s Special Operations team is superficial and will not achieve much,” he said during the interview.
Questioning the long-term effectiveness of repeated crackdowns, he added: “You arrest them, release them and then what? The cycle starts ag
Dr Maalug maintained that enforcement-only strategies fail to address the underlying drivers of substance abuse and do little to reduce relapse or dependency rates.
Instead, he advocated for a comprehensive, public health-oriented response that prioritises treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration of affected individuals into society.
Drawing on international examples, he called for a balanced model that combines law enforcement with mental health services, community-based support systems, and structured rehabilitation programmes.
He stressed that drug addiction should be treated as both a medical and social issue not solely a criminal matter.
His comments come at a time of intensified police operations targeting drug hotspots across the country, amid rising concerns over substance abuse, particularly among young people.
