Drug Use High Among Students In Fishing Areas

The Deputy Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Ablekuma South Sub-metro Education Office, Mrs Belinda Agyepong-Bekoe, has expressed concern over the high level of substance abuse among junior high school (JHS) students in fishing communities along the coast.

She noted that most of the pupils involved in drug and alcohol abuse copied the habit from their parents, most of whom were fisher folk.

Mrs Agyepong-Bekoe made this known at an educational programme organised by the Young Elite Organisation (YEO), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), for some selected JHS in the Ablekuma South Sub-metro.

She observed that most of the students ended up indulging in substance abuse because their parents often sent them to buy them.

She, therefore, advised parents to desist from sending their children on such errands and avoid using such substances in the presence of their children.

Mrs Agyepong-Bekoe commended the Ghana Education Service (GES) for introducing the career, guidance and counselling sessions where students were advised against negative social vices such as armed robbery and drug abuse.

She advised students not to hesitate to discuss their problems with their parents or counsellors in school in order to avoid temptations.

The Executive Director of the YEO, Mr Emmanuel Armah, said the programme, which had been going on in the various JHS for the past two years, sought to educate students on the dangers of illicit drugs and other social vices.

He said the YEO had already organised educational programmes in over 15 JHS in the Ablekuma South and Central constituencies, which had yielded positive results.

However, he said the NGO faced financial difficulties and called on individuals and benevolent organisations to go to its aid.