Upper East marks International Youth Day

By Samuel Akapule/ Agana Blaise, GNA
Bolgatanga, Aug. 30, GNA - The Upper East Region has marked this year's International Youth Day with a call on all stakeholders to help curb alcohol and drug abuse among the youth.

Mr Abaa Roger Atambire, the founder of Life Out of Alcohol and Drugs(LOAD-Ghana), in a keynote address, said alcohol and drug abuse among the youth in the region and the entire country is a major threat to national development.

Mr Atambire was speaking on the topic: "Eradicating Alcoholism and Drug Abuse among the Youth and Empowering them to contribute productively towards the development of Ghana', at a function in Bolgatanga to mark the day.

He expressed regret that Ghana lacked data on alcohol and drug abuse cases and urged the National Youth Authority (NYA) to facilitate the development of data on alcohol and drug abuse to help in the fight.

Mr Atambire said young people who are alcohol and drug addicts were at risk of contradicting HIV/AIDS and other STI's since they may not take the needed caution in using contraceptives.

'It is rather unfortunate that many families become frustrated and disappointed with their relatives who become alcoholic and drug addicts. They should be given a second chance', Mr Atambire said.

He said there is the need for government and all stakeholders in the youth development sector to treat drug addicts with care as they only needed rehabilitation for their recovery.

He said LOAD- Ghana which is a Non-Governmental Origination, is committed to achieving a drug free society and to manage (and rehabilitate) those who were already enslaved by alcohol and drugs.

'Through advocacy programmes, LOAD- Ghana has been organizing talks, forums and durbars to preach about the dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse to the youth', the founder of LOAD- Ghana said.

Mr Alosibah Azam, the Upper East Regional Population Officer, expressed worry about the upsurge of teenage pregnancies and abortions in the region and called on parents, teachers and other stakeholders to help address the problem.

Mr Kwaku Godrick, Deputy Director of the National Commission For Civic Education, called on the youth to avoid selfish politicians who might seek to cause trouble in the forthcoming general elections.

The occasion which was organized by the NYA under the theme "The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Production and Consumption", attracted stakeholders including youth groups, civil society organizations and state institutions.

GNA