The trio,
NACEM Foundation, Legal Aid Commission, and Attorney-General (A-G) Department,
recognized an urgent need to tackle the pressing social problem by pooling their expertise,
knowledge, and resources to tackle the many facets of substance abuse in a
holistic manner.
He stressed the importance of collective
efforts in raising awareness and combating the societal challenge, and that
advocacy efforts should focus on raising awareness of the behavioral health
issues linked to drug abuse.
He underscored the profound impact of
advocacy, saying it held the potential to transform lives as it ensured
substance abuse prevention, curbed mental illness, reduced crime rates, and
fostered a climate of academic motivation and achievement.
The workshop was organized by the Best NACEM
Foundation, the Legal Aid Commission, and the Narcotics Control Commission with
support from Richie Plantation Limited and Osabarima Attah Dwamena II, Chief of
Sankubenase.
Traditional leaders, teachers, nurses, prison
officers, and the media participated in the training.
Assistant Narcotics Control Officer, Worlanyo
Wazila of the Eastern Regional Narcotics Control Commission, said school
Awareness Clubs had been launched in the region to curb the dangers associated
with drug abuse.
He said the Commission had also designed a
drug awareness manual for the clubs with topics on leadership skills,
communication skills, management, and coping skills.
He called on all stakeholders to get involved
in the advocacy and fight against illicit drugs and drug abuse.
Mr Phidelis Osei Duah, the Eastern Regional
Head of the Legal Aid Commission, said the Commission aided people who were
unable to afford legal representation and access the court system.
It further provided access to
justice by ensuring equality before the law, the right to counsel, and the
right to a fair trial, and that the offices were opened to everyone with legal
issues.
Mr Mustapha Mahama from the Attorney
General’s Department gave an overview on drugs and their policies, as well as
guidelines that control and regulate psychoactive substances, particularly
those that were addictive and caused physical and mental dependence.
He said that it served as the
foundation for the government’s obligation to guarantee that people had access
to high-quality pharmaceuticals at affordable prices by implementing drug
legislation, setting professional standards, and encouraging sensible drug
usage.
Nana Asare Kumi III, the Chief of
Okorase, said the consequences of the use of illicit drugs were devastating and
called for increased sensitization of the youth on the dangers of using these
illegal substances.
He also noted that it was the
collective responsibility of society to educate the younger generation about
the dangers associated with illicit drug usage.
He called on all stakeholders, from
influential figures to parents, religious institutions to educational
establishments and even correctional facilities and civil society
organizations, to provide unwavering support to the youth grappling with drug
addiction.
“We risk paying dearly for it in the
near future if we fail to provide the youth with the necessary support now,” he
said.
He advised the youth, who engage in
illicit drugs, to take the necessary steps to free themselves from that
captivity and start new way of lives, to secure their future.
Source: Ghana News Agency
Referencehttps://gna.org.gh/2023/09/three-institutions-strengthen-efforts-to-combat-drug-abuse/
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