Mr Hackman Owusu Agyeman on Thursday bemoaned the soft bail conditions and non-deterrent conviction given to drug barons by the Courts, adding, "it makes the drug problem more serious."

The Minister said the Police and the Narcotic Control Board needed the support of the Courts to fight the menace.

Mr. Owusu-Agyeman, who was answering Parliamentary questions said the large number of itinerant persons around the Tudu Lorry park and the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra serve as a magnet for drug dealers.

"As a short term solution for getting rid of drug peddlers and prostitutes from the area, the Police had mounted a 24 hour surveillance and enhance information gathering."

He said the Accra Metropolitan Assembly was being talked into relocating the Tudu Lorry Park that serves as a breeding ground for drug peddlers.

"In the long term... the Narcotic Control Board has developed educational and preventive programmes aimed at creating public awareness on the harmful effects of illicit drug use."

He said such programmes, which were being implemented in conjunction with some NGOs are targeted at the youth.