University Students Tackle Substance Abuse Epidemic

Drug Abuse

Posted by AI on 2025-09-21 06:46:56 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-14 18:25:10

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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. The students have embarked on a campaign to shed light on the often-overlooked dangers of modern substance abuse, a silent epidemic that is claiming the futures of many young Ghanaians.

The campaign, which began with a two-day symposium from May 8 to 9, 2025, addressed the critical issue of substance abuse among university students. The event, titled "Modern Substance Abuse: the Silent Epidemic among University Students," was a comprehensive effort to educate and empower students and youth. It featured a keynote speech 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 illicit drugs, synthetic substances, alcohol, and even prescription medications. Mr. Rees highlighted the alarming rise in substance abuse among Ghanaian youth, attributing it to mental health struggles, social pressures, and environmental influences.

The symposium also addressed the far-reaching consequences of this epidemic, from the personal tragedies of lost ambitions and lives to the broader socio-economic burden on families and the nation. Madam Sandra Yeboah Nyarko, Project Coordinator and Development Communication lecturer, commended the students for their proactive approach. She described the campaign as a real-world application of development communication, successfully raising awareness, encouraging help-seeking, and fostering a supportive environment.

The event's impact extended beyond the symposium, with interactive sessions and personal testimonies providing participants with the tools to make informed choices and become advocates for change within their communities. This initiative underscores UPSA's dedication to nurturing students as catalysts for positive transformation, emphasizing communication's pivotal role in advancing public health and youth development in Ghana.

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