Steps taken by government to combat illicit drugs (Final part)

 The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking for a safer envi­ronment which would

go a long way to make Ghana a drug-free country. 3News.com (2025)

Solutions to Illicit Drugs from the Islamic perspective

are comprehensive and emphasise of both prevention and treatment:

Tarbiyah (Islamic nurturing): In­stilling strong Islamic values from childhood through Qur’anic education, regular prayer, and association with righteous companions.

Community preaching (Da’wah): Imams must consistently raise aware­ness during khutbahs and Islamic pro­grams about the dangers of drugs and the beauty of a sober, productive life.

Faith-based rehabilitation: Mosques and Islamic centers can partner with medical institutions to offer Qur’an therapy, spiritual counseling, and structured recovery programs.

Islamic youth clubs: Providing youth with halal entertainment, mentorship, and purposeful engagement can steer them away from harmful peer groups.

Zakat and Sadaqah: Channelling funds to support families of victims and establishing centres for rehabili­tation.

Role of Parents, Society, Muslim Chiefs and Imams:

Parents must be vigilant and provide emotional support. A loving, nurturing home reduces a child’s vulnerability to drugs.

Society should de-stigmatize ad­diction. Drug users should be seen as patients needing healing, not crimi­nals deserving rejection.

Muslim Chiefs must lead community campaigns, setting moral examples and supporting policy enforcement.

Imams must be more than religious leaders—they must become counsel­lors, educators, and advocates. Their leadership can shift public perception and guide collective action.

Conclusion

Illicit drugs pose one of the most dangerous threats to our society, undermining our religious values, harming our youth, and destroying our future. The Islamic position is clear and

Unequivocal: such substances are forbidden due to their destruc­tive consequences on all aspects of life. Islam does not merely condemn the act but calls for a holistic response—spiritual, social, and structural.

As a society, particularly as Muslims, we must rise to confront this crisis with faith, compassion, and com­mitment. We must not only preach against drugs but actively work to rehabilitate victims, educate the next generation, and partner with public institutions to create a society of wellness and righteousness.

Recommendations

1. Introduce Islamic drug awareness education in madrasas and public schools, using Quran and Hadith-based materials to instill moral responsibil­ity.

2. Create partnerships between the Ghana Narcotics Control Commission, Ghana Health Service, and Muslim organisations to develop culturally sensitive rehabilitation centres.

3. Train Imams and teachers in basic mental health and drug abuse coun­selling to serve as front-line respond­ers in communities.

4. Utilise Friday sermons (khutbahs) nationwide to address the dangers of drug abuse periodically and provide practical steps for prevention.

5. Encourage community surveil­lance, where parents, chiefs, and youth groups report dealers and suspi­cious activities to the authorities.

6. Establish mentorship programmes in every Muslim community where successful, drug-free role models mentor youth.

7. Form interfaith coalitions, work­ing across religious lines to tackle the drug menace as a national threat rather than a religious issue.

8. Provide job skills training for rehabilitated victims, helping them reintegrate into society and live digni­fied, self-sufficient lives.

By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author