Act 1019 has clearly stated the position on ‘possession’ and ‘use’ of Narcotic substances- Justice Sir Dennis Adjei

A Justice of the Court of Appeal and Director of the Judicial Training Institute, Justice Sir Dennis Adjei has noted that the new Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020(Act 1019) has clearly stated the position relative to the possession and use of Narcotic substances which was one main problem associated with the old law.

He added that the new law has also introduced new things, paramount among them is the sentencing regime and the procedure.

Speaking at a one-day training workshop on the New Narcotics Act for Judges, the Court of Appeal Justice further noted that the New Act primarily seeks to serve the interest of persons who even though may use or decide to use narcotic drugs but not sell or distribute them.

Also present at the program was the Executive Director of POS Foundation, Johnson Osei Owusu, who co-organized the workshop.  He noted in his address that the new Law offers alternative sentencing regime for culprits relative to the offense of possession of drugs for personal use.

He, therefore, called for further sensitization of all Judges of the Lower and Superior Courts by way of situating their role in the implementation of this new Act, especially in their dealings with people who use drugs.

The training was organized by the POS Foundation and the Judicial Training Institute partnered with the International Drug Policy Consortium(IDPC) and the West Africa Drug Policy Network(WADPN).

About Act 1019

The new Narcotic Control Commission Act 2020 (Act 1019) was passed and assented to in March 2020 and May 2020 respectively.

Instead of punishing by sentences drug possessors and users through imprisonment and others, the New Act recognizes the act as a Public Health Issue.

Additionally, a fine of between 200 and 500 penalty units has been imposed as a replacement for the existing prison term for the offense of drug possession for personal use.