Regional News of Friday, 13 July 2007

Source: GNA

Dormaa DCE vows to clear "wee camps"

Dormaa-Ahenkro (B/A) July 13, GNA - Squadron Leader (Rtd) Ben Anane-Asamoah, Dormaa District Chief Executive (DCE) has declared the assembly's resolve to stamp out what is known in the district as "wee smoking camps".

The DCE was speaking to newsmen at Dormaa-Ahenkro after he led assembly on surprise checks at six suspected wee smoking hideouts at Wamfie, near Dormaa-Ahenkro.

He said the unannounced visits were prompted by persistent reports from a group calling itself 'concern citizens of Wamfie' on activities of the camps and their negative impacts on the community, especially the youth.

Squadron Leader (Rtd) Anane-Asamoah said patrons of the six camps bolted as soon as they sighted his team but left behind traces of pieces of paper ostensibly used for wrapping the hemp.

He said residents within the vicinity of the camps who volunteered information on the activities of the 'wee' smokers disclosed that some of the inmates were specialist in wrapping of the stuff while others served as middlemen who passed it on to consumers.

He said both sexes including 10-year olds, were involved in the reported brisk 24-hours wee market.

Squadron Leader (Rtd) Anane-Asamoah described the team's findings as horrible and disgusting, noting that the practice would not only drag the good name of the entire district in the mud but it will also lead to exponential increase in mental cases among the youth.

He appealed to religious organizations, traditional authorities, parents, youth clubs and wings of political parties to step up moral lessons to disengage the minds of the younger generation from the use of illicit drugs.