Konongo (Ash), Jan. 7, GNA - Chief Superintendent Richard Baduweh, Konongo Divisional Police Commander, has expressed grave concern about the increasing use of narcotic drugs, especially among the youth, in the Konongo Municipality.

He said the practice had become so rampant that the perpetrators were being arrested virtually on daily bases and called for a concerted effort from stakeholders to halt the trend.

Chief Superintendent Baduweh was speaking at a send-off party for the Divisional Crime Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Francis Baah at Konongo at the weekend.

The party which was organised by the Municipal Assembly was in recognition of the dedicated service ASP Baah rendered to the Municipality during his two-year duty tour. The Divisional Commander observed that his outfit would, this year intensify community patrolling to flush out drug peddlers and urged parents to closely monitor their children to prevent them from falling victims to the menace.

He commended personnel of the Community Protection Unit, whose recruitment he said had augmented efforts of the Police to maintain peace in the Municipality.

Mr George Frimpong, Asante Akim North Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), commended the Divisional Command for maintaining peace and order throughout the year and called for a renewed effort to combat crime. He said the Assembly would continue to support the Police in its activities and urged the general public to collaborate with the Police to enable them to perform their duties satisfactorily. ASP Baah expressed his profound gratitude to the Assembly, Nananom, Divisional Command and the general public for the assistance offered him during his tenure.