Clinical Health Psychologist, Peter Amadu Mintir, has warned that the alarming rise in drug abuse among young people in Ghana poses a grave threat to future generations if urgent interventions are not taken.
Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show, Mr. Mintir described the situation as “disheartening,” particularly because many of those abusing drugs are still in school.
“As part of the abuse, what fuels it among young people has to do with what is happening around them—what they see, the people in their environment, and even their school systems. And these are the challenges,” he explained.
He added that it was disturbing to find young students not only using drugs but also trading them. “It is not just in the ghettos. This is happening in ordinary communities and even in schools, with some young people having bosses who supply them,” he said.
Mr. Mintir stressed that tackling the crisis requires a comprehensive strategy rather than fragmented interventions. “The truth is that if you want to deal with the issues of substance abuse, then there must be a holistic approach,” he noted.
His remarks follow the airing of JoyNews’ latest investigative documentary, Deadly Doses, which uncovered a surge in drug use among young people in the Ashanti Region. The investigation revealed that drugs are not only sold in slum communities but are also being traded openly in schools and everyday neighbourhoods.
According to the Ghana Mental Health Authority, an estimated 50,000 new cases of drug and substance abuse are recorded annually, with most involving people aged between 15 and 35.
Experts warn that if urgent measures are not implemented, the trend could undermine Ghana’s future workforce and put further strain on the country’s already stretched health system.