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By Ruth Serwaa Asare The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has expressed deep concern over the alarming rate of drug use among Ghanaian students, describing the situation as a growing national crisis that threatens the country’s future workforce. Addressing the state of the youth in Accra, the Minister revealed that 41% of tertiary students and 37% of senior high school students have encountered drug use. According to him, this data highlights the urgent need for a coordinated national response to address the rising challenge of substance abuse among young people. Mr. Opare Addo explained that substance use is becoming increasingly common on school campuses, with students experimenting with harmful substances such as alcohol, marijuana, synthetic pills like the popular “red 2-2-5,” and in some cases, hard drugs like cocaine and heroin. He noted that access to these substances has become disturbingly easy through peers, street kiosks, pubs, and even discreet on-campus dealers. “The problem is no longer limited to street corners,” he warned. “With the growth of online ordering and courier delivery systems, young people can now access drugs with minimal human interaction, making enforcement and prevention far more challenging.” The Minister further stated that the motivations behind drug use among students are complex and diverse. While curiosity, peer influence, and the desire to fit in are key factors, others turn to drugs as a coping mechanism for stress, academic pressure, emotional struggles, and social anxiety. He noted that although 63% of youth believe drugs do not enhance academic performance, the fact that a significant number still use them shows that misconceptions and social influences remain powerful drivers. Mr. Opare Addo warned that early drug exposure has devastating consequences. “Our data shows that 26% of first-time users are aged between 14 and 15, while 41% fall between 16 and 17 years. This early experimentation impairs memory, learning, and emotional control, leading to truancy, behavioral problems, and long term addiction,” he stated. He added that the effects extend beyond the individual to families and the nation as a whole. “When one person in a family starts abusing drugs, it becomes a family issue, not just an individual problem. It affects everyone,” he stressed. The Minister called for urgent and coordinated national action, noting that only 36% of educational institutions currently have counselling and support services to help students dealing with substance-related problems. “That figure is woefully inadequate,” he said. “We need to strengthen counselling units, intensify awareness campaigns, and provide more psychosocial support across our schools and communities.” He announced that the Ministry for Youth Development and Empowerment will soon begin working with relevant stakeholders including the Ministries of Health and Education, as well as civil society groups to design a comprehensive national strategy to combat drug use and promote mental health among the youth. Mr. Opare Addo emphasized that protecting the health and well being of Ghana’s young people is not just a government obligation but a collective national duty. “Every young person lost to drug abuse is a lost opportunity for the nation. The youth represent our greatest strength and the foundation upon which Ghana’s future will be built. We cannot afford to look away,” he concluded. Source link
