The youth of Dome Zongo in the Ga East Municipality of the Greater Accra Region have launched a campaign to combat rising drug abuse in the area, beginning with a health walk to raise awareness about the growing menace.
Organized under the theme “Unite against drug abuse – the role of Dome-Zongo youth,” the event drew dozens of residents, opinion leaders, health professionals, and local government officials; united in a common goal to tackle the substance abuse crisis among the youth.
The initiative, led by the group Dome Zongo Youth Against Drug Abuse, highlighted the increasing misuse of harmful substances, particularly a drug combination locally known as “Red.”
Lead convener Abdul Majid Iddris urged the public to recognize the dangers of drug misuse, including self-medication, which he noted is often overlooked.
“Drug abuse is not safe, and we should avoid indulging in it. There are things we do without realizing they count as abuse – like self-medicating – and they end up destroying us,” he said.
Osman Kasum, a community member from the pharmaceutical business sector, described the situation as dire. According to him, an estimated 80 percent of Dome’s youth are involved in some form of drug abuse, with children as young as 10 or 12 already consuming energy drinks regularly.
READ: Cabinet has approved ‘MahamaCares’ Bill, independent trustees to administer fund – Mahama
“Energy drinks have become like porridge for some youth in the morning. And when it comes to painkillers like tramadol, some can take as much as 300 milligrams at a time. They go to chemical shops freely to buy them,” he said, urging the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to intervene.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Ga East, Hon. Edmund Agboh, who participated in the walk, acknowledged that unemployment remains one of the key drivers of drug addiction among the youth. He called on young people to explore government-led employment and skills development programs to break the cycle.
The campaign ended with a renewed community pledge to partner with health authorities and regulatory bodies, step up advocacy, and push for stricter enforcement against the unauthorized sale of controlled substances in the area.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Obed Kojo Ansah
