Over 1000 Students Admitted At Mental Hospitals

A total of 1,093 pupils and students of first and second cycle schools were admitted at the Accra (pictured) and Ankaful Psychiatric hospitals last year for abusing drugs.

The patients aged between 15 and 20 years, abused substances such as marijuana (wee) and synthetic stimulants such as amphetamines, which they believed could enhance their ability to absorb what they learn and help them to study deep into the night.

From January to March this year, 19 children were admitted at the two psychiatric hospitals for the same reason.

Mr Daniel Akwasi Amankwah, Head of the Demand Control Department of the Narcotics Control Board says one disheartening aspect of the drug abuse in the country is the early age at which children start smoking marijuana.

''At present, children between the ages of 10 and 12 years abuse drugs. Years gone by, they started at the age of 14'', he added.