Kumasi, Nov. 28, GNA - Mr Solomon Stanley Eyo an official of the Narcotic Control Board, has called for the intensification of public education on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking in the country. It is when people get to know of the dangers that "we can start to meaningfully find solutions and at least try to control it". Mr Eyo was speaking at a day's workshop in Kumasi on Saturday for 60 selected leaders from various youth groups in the Ashanti Region. It was organized by the Narcotics Control Board and the Ashanti Regional branch of the National Youth Council (NYC) to educate the youth on the causes, effects and solutions to hard drugs. The Regional Head hoped after the workshop the participants would be able to support the Board in its efforts to control drug abuse and its menace in the region.

He urged the youth to come out with plans and ideas that would help to free the country from drug abuse and trafficking since that has been the source and root of many of the crimes in the country. This, he said, would also help to ensure peace and tranquillity in the communities in the country. Mr Eyo said people had used drugs since time immemorial, especially in the form of natural herbs and some semi-processed forms, which have been of great importance and help.

"Our ancestors used herbs as food and medicine and that helped them to sustain their lives and even live longer. "However, in this era of advanced civilization the menace of drugs abuse has been creating instability and threat to life". He added that drugs like Cannabis Sativa, commonly called marijuana, cocaine, heroine and psychotropic substances cause havoc and illicit drug trafficking. He said the indulgence in such drugs had led to the increase of rape cases, prostitution, street children, armed robbery, hooliganism and even terrorism, suicide bombing and now the spread of the deadly disease, HIV-AIDS. Ghana, he said, as part of the current global village could not escape from the deadly influence and consequence of narcotic drugs both in trafficking and consumption. He said it was important that public education was intensified, especially among the youth to enable them change their attitudes and desist from the use of illicit drugs. 28 Nov. 09