Dr Yennusom Maalug has criticised the IGP
Dr Yennusom Maalug, Director of Pantang Hospital, has criticised the Ghana Police Service’s current approach to tackling the country’s drug abuse crisis, describing it as unsustainable and counterproductive.
Speaking on the Health segment of Amansan TV’s (A TV) Breakfast Show on Monday, February 23, 2026, Dr Maalug took issue with what he described as “Rambo-style” operations carried out by the Inspector General of Police’s Special Operations team.
The operations, which often involve storming ghettos known hideouts of suspected drug users and traffickers have drawn public attention for their aggressive nature.
According to Dr Maalug, these raids are frequently marked by the physical manhandling of suspects and the seizure of vehicles, measures he argues focus more on spectacle than sustainable solutions.
“The punitive approach adopted by the IGP’s Special Operations team is superficial and will not achieve much,” Dr Maalug said during the interview.
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Questioning the long-term impact of repeated crackdowns, he asked, “You arrest them, release them and then what? The cycle starts again?”
He 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 called for a comprehensive, public health-oriented response that prioritises treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration.
Drawing on international examples, Dr Maalug called for a model that balances law enforcement with mental health services, community 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 remarks come amid heightened police operations targeting drug hotspots across the country, as authorities seek to curb rising concerns over substance abuse, particularly among young people.
AM
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Source:
www.ghanaweb.com
