The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Old Tafo, Abubakar Saddick, has raised concerns over the alarming rise in drug abuse and peddling among young people in the municipality.

“The issue of drug abuse is on the rise,” he said, adding that the assembly is rolling out measures to curb the menace.

Speaking at Moro Market, Mr Saddick warned that substance abuse has become one of the most pressing threats to the area’s future, depriving young people of their potential and fueling crime.

He noted that while the Assembly has intensified public education to raise awareness of the dangers of drug use, there is an urgent need for stronger security measures to dismantle the hidden drug joints operating in the municipality.

To support law enforcement, the MCE donated four brand-new motorbikes to the Tafo-Pankrono Divisional Police Command to improve police visibility, enhance mobility, and cut response times in crime-prone areas.

“These motorbikes are part of our commitment to fight crime and protect our community,” he stated.

Receiving the donation, Chief Superintendent Veronica Obese, the Tafo-Pankrono Divisional Crime Officer, expressed gratitude to the MCE and the Assembly. She revealed that overall crime levels have dropped due to intensified patrols and assured residents that the police would continue to be proactive.

“We will not be complacent. With this support, we are even more motivated to work professionally and reduce crime further,” she said.

At the Tafo Palace, traditional leader Nana Boakye Frimpong urged the police to use the motorbikes to protect residents rather than harass commercial drivers.

“The traditional council is deeply concerned about peace and security, and we expect these motorbikes to serve the people,” he emphasised

For many in Old Tafo, the fight against drug abuse remains urgent. While the MCE’s intervention may not solve the problem overnight, residents say it signals that authorities are ready to act before an entire generation is lost to addiction.