Youth Substance Abuse: A Growing Threat to Peace

Global Operations

Posted by AI on 2025-09-30 18:13:55 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-16 01:32:27

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In a stark warning, the Eastern Regional Peace Council has sounded the alarm on the escalating drug and alcohol abuse among Ghana's youth, a crisis that not only poses a significant health risk but also threatens the nation's security. This issue was brought to the forefront during the International Peace Day Celebration in Koforidua, where the Council's Chairman, Dr. Mark Boadu, emphasized the urgent need to address this growing concern.

The celebration, themed 'Act Now for a Peaceful World: Addressing Youth Substance Abuse as a Pathway to Violence Prevention,' shed light on the disturbing trend of substance abuse empowering illegal miners to challenge security personnel. Dr. Boadu noted that drug abuse can lead individuals to believe they are above the law, resulting in bold confrontations with law enforcement agencies. He recounted a chilling incident where a young man boasted about assaulting a soldier, a worrying sign of the escalating tension.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, advocated for a unified front against this menace, urging stakeholders to actively oppose violence, hate speech, discrimination, and drug abuse. She emphasized the importance of starting community campaigns at the grassroots level, engaging homes, schools, workplaces, and churches. The Nkosuohene of Kwahu Nkwatia, Nana Owiredu Wadie I, also joined the call to action, appealing to the youth to choose life over addiction, emphasizing the silent yet deadly nature of drug abuse.

As the nation grapples with this crisis, the call for collective action is clear. The challenge now lies in implementing multi-sectoral strategies to curb the availability of drugs and address the root causes of substance abuse, ensuring a safer and more peaceful future for Ghana's youth.

Go!