Action Light Rehabilitation Centre International : A Leading Force in Hohoe's Fight Against Drug Abuse

Action Light Rehabilitation Centre International : A Leading Force in Hohoe's Fight Against Drug Abuse

Ghana is slowly having a youth bulge with approximately 6.9 million youths in the country according data from UNICEF.

The famous quote "Children are the world's most valuable resource and it is best hope for the future'' by John F' Kennedy is still very relevant to our time and day and will stand the test of time.

I am of the view that a population that is well educated and youthful is a recipe for development and growth.But these prospects become unrealistic when the albatross of drug abuse hangs around our neck as a nation.

Reports by the Ghana Narcotics Control Board reveal that about 70% of the youth in the country abuse drugs.

Another study indicated that daily, over 12% of the youth use marijuana and over 16.2 % use alcohol.As of now the demographics clearly indicate that drug abuse is mostly by males within the ages of 18-40 years in Ghana.

West Africa at a point (mid 2000s) was labelled a transit point for illicit drugs.This may have indeed began in the 1950's with the existence of drug networks by Lebanese and Nigerian nationals spreading their tentacles all over West Africa. Ghana was not spared and now that our youths are knee deep into drugs with the rates in domestic consumption surging,perhaps the chickens have just come home to roost.

Among the many cities,towns and villages experiencing this tightening grip of drug abuse on the youth is the Hohoe Municipality.However, Reverend Apostle John-Jones Edem Akpah and his team at Action Light Rehabilitation Center International have began inspiring hope.Fidel Castro has once opined "Men do not shape destiny, Destiny produces the man for the hour". Indeed,someone is selflessly standing in the gap with his collaborators (Home Builders,Greenshield Agro chemical , Christian Rural Aid Network ,Wailing Women GTA and Christ Shallom Preparatory School).

The centre is located between Kolenu and Kwati and as of now, it is the only rehab centre in the Volta Region and Oti Region.Their approach to freeing the youth from drug abuse and addiction is by introducing or reintroducing them to Jesus Christ.Then they are assisted to unlearn and relearn, altering their thought patterns,leading them to discover,rediscover themselves and exploit their potentials.Through this process they are purged off hard drugs and their addiction is broken as their will power becomes stronger.

The centre shares the view that they think addiction is anything you are unable to stop doing.They believe drug abuse represents a negative form of addiction whiles an unflinching support and commitment to the things of God are positive addiction.They believe drug addiction may be traced to spirituality and tapping into the power of the holy spirit brings freedom from drugs.

They have seen a lot of great results by far hence a higher level of traffic to their centre.This has necessitated the ongoing expansion of their centre where they housed 50 victims of drug abuse.

As they remain poised to save the youth from drugs amidst the many challenges faced by the centre mostly financial,they are positive support will come from well meaning people.Their doors remain open to partners, sponsors and volunteers([email protected] [email protected])

By Dumenu Charles Selorm