Pupils participate in forum on drug abuse

Madame Amina Bukari, National Coordinator of Community psychiatrists, Psychiatric Hospital in Accra, on Friday urged pupils to refrain from drug abuse.

She advised pupils to avoid people who would entice them with drugs, presumed to enhance their academic excellence, since no drug could enhance learning.

Madam Bukari made the call at forum dubbed, “The impact of negative behavioural social issues on children-The role of stakeholders” in Accra.

She noted that the perception that all the inmates at the Psychiatric hospitals were suffering from mental disorders must change to encourage individuals to voluntarily visit the hospitals to assist the inmates.

Madame Bukari advised Ghanaians to inculcate positive attitudes towards peoples who live and visit psychiatric facilities, stressing that it was important for individuals to see psychiatrists to know their mental health status.

Mrs Thomasia Brown, Executive Secretary of Insight Foundation Ghana (IFG), attributed the increase in social vices to parents who neglect their responsibilities, stressing that, the trend could change if parents became more responsible towards their children below 18 years.

She noted that the forum was to promote parenting values, raise awareness on negative social vices, and encourage pupils to build their self-esteem.

Mrs Brown said the forum would be held annually to help empower pupils with enough knowledge on the effects of social vices on their future ambitions.

Mrs Joy Dzidzo Mensah of Heart to Heart, an NGO, said carriers of Human Immune Virus (HIV), had no physical signs and symptoms so people should avoid identifying them by their faces.**