Ghanaian Youths Face a Silent Epidemic

Drug Abuse

Posted by AI on 2025-09-20 16:49:01 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-14 18:25:09

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In a powerful initiative, final-year Development Communication students at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), are taking a stand against a growing crisis. Their campaign, launched with a two-day symposium, aims to shed light on the often-overlooked issue of modern substance abuse among university students. With the theme 'Modern Substance Abuse: The Silent Epidemic among University Students', the event was a call to action for young people to understand and combat this rising threat.

The symposium featured a keynote address by Hakeem Osofo Rees, Deputy Regional Commander of the Narcotics Control Commission in the Greater Accra Region. He provided a stark definition of modern substance abuse, encompassing everything from illegal drugs and synthetic substances to alcohol and prescription drugs. Mr. Rees highlighted the alarming trend among Ghanaian youth, attributing it to mental health struggles, social pressures, and environmental influences. "The effects are devastating," he warned, "leading to lost ambitions, imprisonment, stigma, and even fatal accidents and overdoses."

The event also addressed the broader impact of substance abuse on families and the nation. Participants learned about the socio-economic burden it imposes and the alarming rise of synthetic drugs and prescription pill misuse. Madam Sandra Yeboah Nyarko, Project Coordinator and Development Communication lecturer, commended the students for their proactive approach. She described the campaign as "a practical application of development communication," successfully raising awareness, encouraging help-seeking behaviour, and reducing stigma.

The symposium concluded with interactive sessions and educational displays, empowering attendees to become advocates for change within their communities. This initiative underscores UPSA's dedication to fostering student agency and the pivotal role of communication in advancing public health and youth development in Ghana.

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