The Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, Stephen Amoah, has raised concern over what he describes as the growing problem of drug abuse among young people in Ghana.
He warned that the situation is becoming a serious threat to the future of the country.
Speaking with the media, he observed that drug use was becoming common in many communities.
He noted that in almost every area one visits, there are visible signs of drug activity involving young people.
He described the trend as extremely alarming and stressed that it is damaging the health, productivity, and well-being of the youth.
He added that the problem, if not addressed, could have long-term effects on the country’s development, economy, and social structure.
He called for deliberate and coordinated national action to tackle the issue. He emphasised the need for reliable data, questioning whether authorities have accurate records on the number of affected youth, the prevalence of drug hotspots, and the scale of the problem.
Without credible data, he argued, it would be difficult for the country to design effective solutions.
He urged the government to increase investment in prevention and rehabilitation efforts, support private organisations and NGOs working in the area, and involve religious bodies in addressing what he described as a national challenge.
By: Jacob Aggrey