Stay off drugs - Minister warns youth

Mr Rockson Ayine Bukari, the Upper East Regional Minister, has called for stringent measures to address the alarming rate of drug abuse by the youth in the country.

The Regional Minister made the call at this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking held in Bolgatanga.

The event which was organized by “Life Out of Alcohol and Drugs, Ghana (LOAD-Ghana)”, an Advocacy Non-Governmental Organization against Drug Abuse, attracted the youth, opinion leaders and political representatives in the Region.

The Regional Minister said the recent upsurge of the abuse of “tramadol” and the pervasive alcoholism by the youth needed vigorous measures to help in the fight as it could jeopardize the development of many of the country’s youth and consequently affect national productivity.

He said government is making frantic efforts to resource the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) to help deal with the concern adding that all stakeholders are needed in the effort.

He said there is the need for stakeholders to use their various platforms to sensitize the youth on the dangers of drug abuse.

The Regional Minister lauded LOAD-Ghana’s efforts in embarking upon the series of sensitization programmes in schools and institutions in the region to educate the youth and members of the public about the dangers associated with drug abuse and appealed to corporate organizations and individuals to support LOAD-Ghana in its efforts to reach more schools.

Mr Roger Baba Atambire, the Founder and Executive Director of LOAD-Ghana, expressed worry about the increasing number of drinking spots near schools across the country and appealed to Municipal and District Assemblies to regulate them.

He said Ghana’s efforts at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals which addresses poverty, hunger, health, and agriculture could be threatened if the youth in the country continue to abuse drugs, and called on the Musicians Union Of Ghana (MUSIGA) to compose songs on the dangers associated with the canker.

As part of activities to mark the day, the NGO organized educational talks for some selected schools in the region, including the Zamse Senior High Technical School in Bolgatanga, the Bolgatanga Senior High School (Big Boss), and the Bolgatanga Technical Institute (BOTECH).

The Guidance and Counseling Coordinator of the Zamse Senior High Technical School, Mrs Helen Anabila, thanked LOAD-Ghana for organizing the programme and expressed optimism that it would contribute to the effort to help curtail the concern.

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking was established by the United Nations General Assembly and celebrated annually is to strengthen global action and cooperation against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking.