Research conducted by the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) in the Ashanti Region has revealed that 70 per cent of the youth in junior and senior high schools are involved in some forms of drug abuse.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Sarpong, who made this known in Kumasi, did not give further details but said the situation was worrying and could jeopardise the future of the youth.
He was speaking at the National Patriotism Lectures organised by the National Youth Authority (NYA) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on the theme, “Promoting social values, nationalism and integrity through youth leadership and mentoring”.
Mr Sarpong appealed to the youth to shun drugs and avoid the company of those involved in the use of drugs if they were to become productive citizens in future.
“To secure a better future for yourselves, health-wise, and to avoid any infractions with the law, you have to stay clear of drugs in all its forms,” he advised the youth.
He said social media such as Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter, among other such platforms, had become effective tools for mobilisation and communication.
He, however, advised the youth that “you should know when to use these platforms and spare yourselves a good deal of time to invest in your studies to prepare you for the future”.
Performing the opening ceremony, the Chief Executive of the NYA, Mr Ras Mubarak, called for dialogue between the youth and the aged to ensure that the younger ones were able to learn from their elders how to become useful and patriotic citizens in future.
He expressed worry over the waning trust of Ghanaians, especially the youth, in national institutions and the government and underscored the need to reverse the situation.
Mr Mubarak called on parents and elders of society to initiate moves to inculcate the spirit and practice of patriotism in the youth.
Source: Graphic