Establish a National Centre for Drug Abuse - Psychiatrist

Kumasi, Nov. 10, GNA - Dr Akwasi Osei of the Ankaful Psychiatry Hospital, has advocated the establishment of a National Centre for Drug Abuse in the country.

The Centre, he said, could serve as a one-stop shop for information and research on drugs, as well as treatment of addiction. Dr Osei was speaking on: "Social Liberalisation and Hard Drugs"

during a scientific session of the Ghana Medical Association's (GMA) 45th annual general meeting in Kumasi at the weekend.

He noted that drug treatment centres in the country were lacking and that "patients do not like the stigma of psychiatric hospitals as they rightly or wrongly do not see themselves as mad.

"We can no longer pretend that drug use is not a problem in our country".

Dr Osei called for a mandatory household survey on drug use, noting that, the country's socially liberalised tendencies as shown by the current pattern of changing lifestyles was carrying with it risk factors that exposed the people to drugs.

He said the "rat-race" for material things, less commitment to religion and spirituality, bombardment by foreign cultures, globalisation, media abuse and sensation-seeking were responsible for increased use of drugs in the society.

He said there was need to encourage the formation of drug-free clubs in schools, as well as step up public education and training of more people on drug issues to deal with the situation.

Dr Sammy Allotey of the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital, who spoke on: "Alcohol and Tobacco Abuse", observed that media hype had become a powerful tool recruiting novices into alcoholism and sustaining the habit in veterans.

"The use of big names, popular stars and successful men and women makes the attraction to alcohol almost irresistible".

Dr Allotey called on parents, traditional and opinion leaders, civil society and the Government to reassert their authority and teach children and the youth to cherish and preserve traditional values and cultural heritage, which could be protective against the indulgence in alcohol and tobacco.