Deputy Minister for the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi joined the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, at the press launch of the National Youth Anti-Drug Campaign, dubbed “Ghana Against Drugs (GAD) – Red Means Stop,” to combat the growing substance abuse crisis among the country’s youth.
The campaign, organised by the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, aims to address the alarming rates of drug abuse among Ghanaian youth.
In his remarks, the Deputy Minister stated that 62.3 percent of adolescents in nine senior high schools in the Northern Region have used illicit substances at least once in their lifetime. According to him, the emergence of dangerous drug combinations, such as “Red,” a deadly combination of tapentadol and carisoprodol, poses a significant threat to Ghana’s youth. He urged the youth to say no to drugs since addiction can ruin their future.
Terlabi also emphasised the need for collective action, urging the media, parents, teachers, community leaders, and young people to champion this cause. He also commended the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment for the initiative and assured support from the Ministry of the Interior.
Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo stressed the need for a multi-faceted approach to address the growing substance abuse crisis among Ghana’s youth. He emphasised that the campaign’s theme, “Red Means Stop,” is a call to action for every Ghanaian to take a stand against drug abuse.
The launch brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including government ministries, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, and civil society organizations. The campaign seeks to raise awareness, drive policy discussions, and take decisive actions against opioid abuse.
