The Member of Parliament for Sunyani West, Ms. Millicent Amankwah Yeboah, has called for immediate and coordinated interventions to address the root causes of the crisis.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament during deliberations to mark World Drug Abuse Day, Ms. Yeboah emphasized that the alarming trend poses a significant threat to national security and the socio-economic well-being of the country.
She identified broken homes, rising youth unemployment, and the unchecked operations of unprofessional drug peddlers as the primary drivers behind the surge in substance abuse.
“The issue of drug abuse is not isolated; it is deeply tied to social and economic dysfunctions.
We must address the root causes—starting with the breakdown of family structures, lack of employment opportunities for the youth, and the loopholes in our enforcement systems,” she stated.
The lawmaker urged her colleagues to take proactive steps in response, suggesting that Members of Parliament organize capacity-building forums for their constituents, particularly the youth, to prepare them for gainful employment.
She argued that equipping young people with skills and awareness could significantly reduce their vulnerability to drug abuse.
Ms. Yeboah also called on security and regulatory agencies to intensify efforts in monitoring and clamping down on illicit drug operations, adding that a comprehensive, community-based approach involving education, training, and enforcement is essential.
“If we get the interventions right—sensitization, skills training, and strong enforcement—we will see a sharp decline in drug abuse cases.
The time to act is now,” she urged.
By: Prosper Kwaku Selassy Agbitor
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