Public Agenda NewsPaperPublic Agenda NewsPaper
  • General News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Development Agenda
  • World News
  • Features & Opinions
  • Election watch
  • Editorial
Font ResizerAa
Public Agenda NewsPaperPublic Agenda NewsPaper
Font ResizerAa
  • General News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Development Agenda
  • World News
  • Features & Opinions
  • Election watch
  • Editorial
Search
  • General News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Development Agenda
  • World News
  • Features & Opinions
  • Election watch
  • Editorial
Follow US
Breaking NewsEditorial

The illicit drugs menace facing our society

Latifa Carlos
Last updated: November 27, 2017 1:33 pm
Latifa Carlos
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

Public Agenda today highlights the increasing use of illicit drugs among the youth and some adults. Some psychologists have defined drug menace as “the illicit, non- medical use of limited number of substance.” These drugs have the power to alter the mental state of its user.

That is why they are considered harmful and therefore ‘undesirable’. They include alcohol, opium, heroin, marijuana amongst many others. Recently, a number of SHS students were accused of indulging in the excessive misuse of marijuana on school grounds. However, the problems are far deeper.

Drug abuse or issue has far reaching consequences on our society. While some dispute the long-term effects of the use of marijuana, Research has proven that its use could have fatal consequences in the long term. Others like heroin costs a lot of money, is very addictive and requires long term care to wean users off the effects.

More Read

$100m legal war erupts between E&P and Azumah Resources
Ghana to attract more global oil investors after Akoma and Eban 1X discoveries
Govt cracks down on illegal mining task forces amid extortion claims
Dr. Adrian Alter appointed new IMF resident representative for Ghana
Ablekuma North: EC to rerun Parliamentary Election in 19 Polling Stations

Ghana’s health system will crumble if it has to add drug abuse to the already long list of diseases the health service has to contend with. The youth could suffer long term consequences as drug use affects their mental capacity to concentrate on their books, pass exams and become useful members of society.

In most cases, this could be the main cause of theft, armed robbery, trafficking of women and children, and violence in the home. It could also lead to breakdown in mental health. None of these are healthy for any society that is why some countries spend their resources in prevention rather than care.

This is one area which requires careful planning and action to ameliorate the cases, uses and effects of drug abuse. Parents, school authorities, Ghana Health Service and indeed all health agencies, including non-governmental organizations should come together to discuss ways of preventing drug abuse, and in cases where this has already happened, develop recovery centers for those afflicted.

Our government can consider the decriminalization of drug abuse sending users to drug rehabilitation centers to wean them off their addiction and affliction rather than to prison. There is an urgent need for a sustained public awareness campaign against drug abuse to alert parents, health agencies and schools. The campaign should target those who are tempted to indulge in them to see the harmful effects of this habit.

The Government could also consider setting up Rehabilitation Centers for drug addicts rather than sending them to hospitals.

Apart from rising unemployment, the drug menace is one area that could hit Ghana hard in years to come. The time to deal with this menace is now.

 

 

 

Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Email Copy Link Print

Latest News

Ghana secures $370M from IMF after successful review
July 8, 2025
Mid-Year budget to clarify road contractor payments – Ampem Nyarko
July 2, 2025
 ISODEC Urges Citizens to Engage More in Local Governance Processes 
July 2, 2025
Mfantseman Youth Trained to Strengthen Local Governance Participation 
July 2, 2025
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Investment-Friendly Environment to Attract Development Financing
July 1, 2025
New UN report charts path out of debt crisis threatening global development
June 30, 2025
World Bank backs Ghana $360m to strengthen macroeconomic stability
June 30, 2025

You Might Also Like

Breaking NewsElection watchtop stories

GJA holds national and regional elections today

June 30, 2025
Breaking NewsBusinesstop stories

PURC announces 2.45% increase in Electricity tariffs from July 1

June 26, 2025
Breaking NewsBusinesstop stories

Iran cannot unilaterally shut Strait of Hormuz – NPA boss

June 23, 2025
Breaking NewsBusinesstop stories

Israel-Iran war: Fuel prices likely to rise in July – COPEC

June 23, 2025

About Us

Public Agenda is fou­nded and owned by Pu­blic Agenda Communic­ations.

Public Agenda was founded as a public interest Me­dia entity. Its Visi­on is to contribute to building a well-i­nformed society where accurate informati­on dissemination is the cornerstone of a democratic, just and equitable society.

Its mission is to inform, guide and bui­ld responsible citiz­enship and accountab­le decision making and strive for excell­ence in the media in­dustry. Public Agenda Communications is managed by a Board of Directors.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?