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Desist from Drug and substance abuse, it has strong negative health effects – Ghanaians advised
The recent exposé by BBC Africa concerning the escalating engagement of Ghanaian youth in opioids and other illicit substances has ignited intense discourse across the nation.
Reacting on the GIFTs FM Morning Show dubbed Anopa Bosuo, chaired by Kwaku Mensah Abrampa, Dr. Kwasi Osei, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Mental Health Authority, cautioned the youth against the patronage and consumption of illicit drugs.
He emphasized that any drug taken without the correct prescription can have varied impacts on our health, underscoring the importance of adhering to doctors’ prescriptions. He reiterated that the involvement of youth in hard drugs and other substances will ultimately affect their mental and physical health, advising them to abstain from such practices if they are not already entangled.
He urged parents to vigilantly monitor their wards’ activities to ensure that these young individuals do not fall prey to drug and substance abuse.
Dr. Kwasi Osei remarked that the curiosity of the youth is a principal factor in their significant engagement with hard drugs and other forms of substance abuse.
He conveyed his concern about the progression in the consumption of these potent substances, which ultimately wreak havoc on individuals’ lives. He noted that such illicit drugs offer fleeting solace and euphoria to users, yet they culminate in considerable harm, encompassing mental health issues and other underlying medical conditions. The surge in drug abuse within the nation is alarming and demands urgent attention and action.
Dr. Kwasi Osei, in elucidating the transient effects of opioids and their enduring health consequences, emphasized that individuals resort to these substances in pursuit of energy and enthusiasm for immediate relief, highlighting that they have lasting health implications.
He noted that despite consuming these potent drugs for swift health benefits, individuals ultimately develop a profound craving and addiction, which inevitably impacts their lives.
Story By: Kwaku Mensah Abrampa (GIFTs FM-Dormaa Ahenkro)