Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie expressed surprise to find that some youth regard the use of substances as a way of having fun, while others abuse these substances as aphrodisiacs and other users for the sense of confidence it gives them to approach the opposite sex.
He called for implementing a multi-faceted approach in fighting the threat of substance abuse among young people.
First, he said that there is a need to educate the youth on the dangers of drug abuse.
Schools, community and families must work together to pass credible information and foster an awareness culture, he went on to add.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie discussed this while at the Ghana Bar Conference on Monday, September 15.
He said, "I recently read about a research on use of substance among adolescents in Ghana, titled 'Prevalence, correlates, and reasons for substance use among adolescents aged 10- 17 in Ghana: a cross- sectional convergent parallel mixed study method.'". This research conducted and authored by Sylvester Kyei-Gyamfi, Frank Kyei-Arthur, Nurudeen Alhassan, Martin Wiredu Agyekum, Prince Boamah Abrah, and Nuworza Kugbe was published online on 29th February 2024 by Open Access under its journal on the subject "Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention and Policy".
"The research made very bleak reading and left me particularly worried.". The research concluded among others that the prevalence of the use of substances is quite high among adolescents at 12.3%. It further concluded that 56.9 % of Ghanaian adolescents abuse alcohol and 26.4% abuse cigarettes. Both are the most abused substances. Apart from alcohol and cigarettes, the research further concluded that 6.5% abuse tramadol and 4.8% abuse marijuana, while others abuse other substances. From the research, matters could even be worse since drug use among Ghanaian youths tends to be underreported, due to a series of factors.
He went on "I was surprised to realize that while some adolescents find the use of substances to be cool, others abuse such substances as an aphrodisiac and others for the confidence they feel that enables them to approach the opposite sex! And to think that these substances are a danger to their health, well-being, development, their future and that of the nation's, I found myself wondering where we went wrong as a nation and if as adults, we have failed our little ones.".
What is the reason behind this? As it seems to me, the easy access to drugs, peer pressure, and curiosity are part of the reasons that make there happen to be this trend. The implications as previously stated are various, affecting not only the individual but also his or her family, the society, and community at large.
In order to combat this danger, he further stated that "we have to adopt a multi-dimensional approach. We have to educate our children first from the ill effects of drug abuse. Schools, families and communities must come together and create awareness and furnish genuine information.
"Again, we have to come up with support groups. Counseling services, rehab centers, and helplines can devise the support that teenagers would require to overcome the vice."
He also requested parents, teachers, and leaders to be trained to recognize early warning signs and provide guidance.
"Law enforcement authorities have a key role in reducing the supply of illicit drugs. Effective interagency coordination and firm law enforcement can deny access to such drugs," he further stated.