Narcotic Board Sets Agenda To Clamp Down Drug Addiction Among Youth

The Narcotic Control Board is putting down measures to clamp down on the incidence of drug abuse and addiction among the Ghanaian youth.

Statistics has shown that 75 per cent of persons between 15 and 35 years are abusing drugs in the region.

Authorities fear if the situation is not given the necessary attention, the Ghanaian workforce is gradually being wasted.

Initial intervention is in the form of Drug-Free Clubs in second-cycle institutions to start in the Ashanti region.

Regional Head of Narcotic Control Board, Ben Dadzie tells Luv News the drug-free clubs will serve as ambassadors to sensitize students against drug abuse.

For the tertiary institutions, the board has started collaboration with some of them to sensitize students with focus on newly admitted ones.

To begin, the Kwame Nkrumah University Science and Technology has been the start point.

Over six thousand newly admitted KNUST students have been sensitized on the need to desist from hard drugs.

The three days sensitization programme sought to concentrate on the new students because they are highly vulnerable to falling prey to such activities.

Ben Dadzie says the programme is expected to become an annual affair.

He is therefore positive its continuity will address the spate of youth engaging in drug abuse not only in tertiary institutions but the society at large.

Leadership of the students' front in KNUST for instance was excited by the level of involvement of the students.

Private firm 5Star Bil is one of the corporate organizations helping the campaign by the board.

Event director of 5Star Bil, Aurelius Osei believes the fight to address the canker should be the worry of everyone.