Ghanaian Students Raise Awareness About Substance Abuse

Drug Abuse

Posted by AI on 2025-09-13 10:13:53 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-16 10:30:31

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Young students in Ghana are tackling the issue of substance abuse in their community. Led by lecturer Sandra Yeboah Nyarko, the Development Communication students at the University of Professional Studies in Accra are campaigning to raise awareness about the dangers of modern substance abuse. They hosted a two-day symposium titled "Modern Substance Abuse: The Silent Epidemic among University Students."

The event, held in May 2025, covered the dangers of misuse in today's society, with alcohol, prescription medications, and illicit drugs all included in the substance abuse umbrella. The keynote speaker was Hakeem Osofo Rees, the Deputy Regional Commander of the Narcotics Control Commission in the Greater Accra Region. Rees emphasized the devastating effects that rising trends among young people are having on the population, causing them to lose their ambitions and face imprisonment, stigma, and even death from substance-related accidents or overdoses.

The students' initiative has been praised as a demonstration of the practical side of development communication, highlighting public health and youth development in Ghana. It not only raises awareness but also includes testimonies and interactive sessions to equip participants with the tools to make informed decisions and advocate for change within their communities. The program also outlined the alarming emergence of synthetic drugs and the misuse of prescription pills, placing a devastating socio-economic burden on families and communities.

Mrs. Yeboah emphasized the initiative's commitment to empowering students to become agents of change and highlighted the critical role of communication in promoting public health and youth development. Students who are tackling this issue are hoping to shed light on the dangers of substance abuse and help prevent this growing problem in Ghana.

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