By Sulemana ZAKARIA
Students have been advised to stay away from drug-use in order to safeguard their futures and achieve their goals.
The caution came during an awareness campaign aimed at educating senior high school students on the dangers of substance abuse and the long-term impact it can have on their health, education and overall well-being.
The campaign, organised by Savana Signatures in collaboration with Tamale Offline Hangout, took place at the Islamic Senior High School in Sagnarigu municipality of Northern Region. It brought together over 5,000 students for a session on drug awareness and mental health education.
The anti-substance abuse campaign is a proactive initiative by Savana Signatures and its youth wing, Tamale Offline Hangout, aimed at curbing the rising incidence of drug abuse among young people in Northern Region.
It is also to expand the campaign to more schools across the district to ensure that more students are educated, empowered and equipped to resist the pressures of substance abuse.
The campaign has already reached several schools, including Northern Business Senior High School, Kalpohini Senior High School, Ambariya Senior High School and others.
Speaking at the event, Shaibu Sulemana, a member of Tamale Offline Hangout, described substance abuse as a major menace among young people – largely due to peer pressure and limited knowledge of its impact on their health and education.
According to him: “Many young people fall into drug use because they lack the right information and support – and if we don’t act now, we risk losing a whole generation to addiction and wasted potential”.
Education Officer with NACOC, Mubarik Musah, warned students against possessing illegal substances, stressing that such actions could lead to arrest and prosecution. “It is unlawful to possess any illegal drug, let alone use it,” he emphasised.
He also cautioned students to avoid fashion items or accessories that bear cannabis imagery, explaining that such materials are considered to promote drug use and are also punishable under the law.
Alhassan S. Neindow, an officer from the Public Health Unit of the Ghana Health Service in the region, said the Service supports individuals struggling with substance abuse: adding that opioid drugs such as tramadol and Red 225 are highly addictive, making it difficult for users to stop after initial use.
“As students, you are encouraged to make use of the counseling units in your schools to talk about any mental health concerns you may have,” he said.
He encouraged students to seek professional help rather than rely on advice from peers, which may often be misleading or harmful.
He also urged students to encourage their parents and relatives to visit Ghana Health Service facilities for professional mental health care and support.
During the sensitisation event, the Narcotics Control Commission’s (NACOC) K-9 Unit conducted a demonstration exercise showcasing how trained dogs are used to detect illegal substances at airports and other designated checkpoints across the country.
The team explained that while several efforts are ongoing to curb the influx of illegal drugs, some individuals still manage to smuggle them into the country. This, they said, highlights the urgent need for youth education on dangers of drug use.
