A shocking incident unfolded at a Senior High School at Asamankese in the Eastern Region when a substance suspected to be wee (marijuana) packaged in tea bags was discovered in the bag of a student.
The unusual packaging drew immediate attention, as the substance had been concealed in tea bag wrappers to disguise its true nature.
The Deputy Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Alexander Twum-Barimah, said a form one SHS student, whose identity has been withheld due to legal and ethical considerations, was caught with one of the tea bag samples hidden in his school bag.
In an interview with Woezor TV on Sunday, September 28, 2025, he said, “I went to Asamankese in the Eastern Region and during my conversation with the District Chief Executive, he mentioned that a form one student was coming to school and among his belongings, a wee tea bag was found.”
He indicated that the problem has moved beyond senior high schools, with marijuana use now spreading to basic schools.
Twum-Barimah expressed concern about the age profile of drug users, citing the case of a 16-year-old boy who was caught carrying two sticks of marijuana.
He said “There was a person that we contacted at that time, and we found a 16-year-old boy. He carried two sticks of marijuana. Sixteen? Two sticks. Why should that happen?”
According to him, the challenge has become so widespread that district assemblies are requesting the establishment of NACOC offices in their areas.
He said NACOC had already set up offices in the Asamankese District, Adansi Municipality, and Ashanti Akim District to strengthen local response.
He also revealed that NACOC had closed down six drug stores and two pharmacies for selling unapproved high-dose tramadol.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has been alerted and is expected to guide the disciplinary measures to be taken.
Meanwhile, the incident has reignited discussions about drug use among students and the need for intensified education on substance abuse.
