The Eastern Regional Head of Education at the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Worlanyo Wazila, has raised concern about the ‘galloping’ rate of drug addiction among the youth in the Eastern Region.
Speaking at a stakeholder meeting organized by BEST NACEM Foundation, Legal Aid Commission and the Attorney General Department, he described the situation to be extremely worrying.
“The youth are now abusing drugs and using illegal drugs in full glare without fear due to peer influence … We may decide not to get worried today, but you have no idea the driver whose car you have boarded is an addict and can make mistakes on the road resulting in an accident. There are many more examples of the implications. We cannot watch on.” He said
Participants in the training and dialogue included representatives from the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, Ghana Prison Service, and traditional authority, among others.
‘The Use of Illicit Drug and Its Punishment: The Role of Stakeholders in Sensitizing the Youth’ was the focus of the training and discussion.
It is expected of stakeholders to identify long-term remedies to lower the addiction rate in their respective fields of involvement.
Stephen Nana Afful, the chief executive officer of BEST NACEM Foundation, said their main goals are to lessen prison overcrowding and the youth’s drug addiction.
