Kotoka Basic School wins Drug-Free Art Camp competition
KOTOKA Basic School emerged winners of the Narcotics Control Commission’s (NACOC) Drug-Free Art Camp competition held at the Garrison Assembly Hall, Burma Camp, yesterday, as part of activities marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day.
The competition, which brought together pupils from Kotoka Basic School and Burma Camp Basic School, was organised under the theme: ‘Empowering the Youth Through Creative Arts,’ to promote awareness of the dangers of substance abuse among young people.
For their outstanding performance, Kotoka Basic School took home a cash prize of GH¢2,000, a gold-plated medal, and a plaque, while Burma Camp Basic School received GH¢1,000 for finishing second.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NACOC, Brigadier General M.O. Mantey, underscored the need for sustained efforts to tackle substance abuse among young people through education, awareness creation and community engagement.
Mr Solomon Stanley Eyo of NACOC disclosed that available statistics on substance abuse among students remained worrying.
According to him, a report indicated that 36.4 per cent of junior and senior high school students surveyed had experimented with at least two substances.
He explained that cigarette smoking and cannabis use were more common among boys, while painkiller abuse and shisha smoking were prevalent among girls.
Mr Eyo noted that stress was identified as the major factor driving substance abuse among students, accounting for 88.6 per cent of sampled cases.
He said students who engaged in drug abuse often suffered from poor academic performance, insomnia and physical weakness.
Mr Eyo further stated that NACOC continued to implement demand reduction programmes through public sensitisation campaigns in schools, religious institutions and marketplaces across the country.
He explained that the use of creative arts was an effective approach because it enabled young people to communicate anti-drug messages to their peers in a language they understood.
“Prevention is not only about laws and regulations. Creativity and awareness can help young people make the right choices and stay away from drugs,” he said.
The Headmaster of Forces Senior High Technical School, Lt Col. Sefa Boye, who chaired the programme, said the competition promoted the core competencies outlined by the Ghana Education Service, including creativity, communication, collaboration, innovation and critical thinking.
He encouraged participants to use their talents to highlight societal challenges and promote positive values within their schools and communities.
The Head of NACOC’s Education and Prevention Department, Mr Kamaldeen Awudu, underscored the importance of peer-to-peer education in the fight against substance abuse.
He explained that students were more likely to listen to and learn from their colleagues than from adults.
“Our goal is to equip students with knowledge about substance abuse so that they can educate and positively influence their peers,” he emphasised, urging students to ignore unrealistic lifestyles portrayed on social media and remain focused on their education and future aspirations.
The event also featured discussions on the formation of drug-free clubs, debates, poetry recitals and quizzes aimed at building resilience, leadership and life skills among students.
Participants expressed appreciation to NACOC for the initiative and pledged to champion the fight against substance abuse in their schools and communities.
BY ENOCH NTIAMOAH SIAW
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