As a result of a higher number of Illicit drug users among the youths, the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon Seth Kwame Acheampong has advised its users to desist from using illicit drugs as it affects a lot of people around the world which results in devastating and destroying the destiny of its users.
Hon Seth Acheampong revealed that substance abuse poses a lot of problems which is affecting a lot of the youth of today and if care is not taken to address this growing menace, it will lead to debilitating effects on our future generations.
Hon Seth Acheampong indicated that the use and abuse of illicit drugs dull the mind and impair judgment as it puts users at risk of making wrong and dangerous decisions in life adding that the wrong decision can affect users’ relationships and performance at where they find themselves.
He said that illicit drugs can lead to addictions which are extremely difficult to overcome.
Hon Seth Acheampong averred that the use of illegal drugs cannot be the panacea to problems but rather it can create new problems for users which lead to long-term damage both physically, mentally and emotionally.
He explained that legal drugs are medically acceptable to relieve pain and control disease while illegal drugs are banned and controlled by law because they can be harmful or injurious to the health of the user, it is addictive and affects the nervous system.
The Minister added that illegal drugs may affect the user’s physical, emotional and social life adding hazards of drug abuse differ from person to person.
‘‘There is no immunity to the dangers of drug or substance abuse as it causes serious harm to the users,’’ Hon Seth Acheampong stated during a one-day seminar for students of Koforidua Secondary Technical Senior High School in the Eastern region.
Outlining the main purpose behind the youth involvement in illegal drugs, the Eastern Regional Minister said that negative peer pressure affects teens who do not want to be different from others in their groups adding that they feel like they matured to use substances like alcohol, tobacco and tranquillizers.
Hon Seth Acheampong affirmed that some believe it will enhance high performance in school and work but craving for drugs can become a burdensome part of their daily life.
Hon Seth Acheampong said that people get addicted to illegal drugs as a result of relieving boredom, gaining more energy, obtaining a drug high, feeling more creative, reducing anxiety and tension, feeling good about themselves, solving problems, escaping reality, relating to people and being socially acceptable.
With the prevention measures of the use of illicit drugs, Hon Seth Acheampong cautioned the students to take their education seriously and engage themselves in sporting activities for excitement, a sense of belonging, and satisfaction and challenges themselves in terms of academic performance.
“I will therefore encourage you to turn your desires to activities such as jogging, playing games, reading, writing, drawing and dancing to find meaning in life and fulfilling your goals in life,’’ he advised.
Hon Seth Acheampong commended organizers Perfectos of Sentiments Foundation for organizing such a wonderful program to interact with the students and to bring to their attention the dangers associated with drug abuse.
Founder and Executive Director for Perfectos of Sentiments Foundation (POS) Mr Jonathan Osei Owusu also added that parliament has passed Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019) which strengthens the Narcotics Drugs Law 1990 (PNDCL 236) as law to check offences related to narcotic drugs and plants cultivated for narcotic purposes and for related matters.
Mr Osei Owusu explained that with the support of the new Narcotics Drugs Law, POS is assisting people who are addicted to narcotics drugs by referring them to rehabilitation centres
Mr Osei Owusu urged the students to avoid Illicit drugs as it causes personal problems by collapsing dreams, friendships and families.
Act 1019 was passed by Parliament on 20 March 2020 and assented to by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on 11 May 2020.
Act 1019 is a testament to the commitment of the Government to dealing comprehensively with the drug menace in the country.
The passage of Act 1019 which replaced the Narcotics Drugs (Control, Enforcement and Sanctions) Law, 1990 (PNDC Law 236) has enhanced the mandate and authority of the Narcotics Control Commission and the Commission has a huge task to perform in the interest of Ghana.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Solomon Nartey
