General News of Friday, 21 July 1995

Source: --

GREATER ACCRA LAUNCHES EDUCATION ON DRUG ABUSE

This year's International Day of Drug Abuse and IIIicit Trafficking in the Greater Accra Region was held at Nima in Accra yesterday

The celebration, marked with an exhibition of harmful drugs and drama on drug abuse by staff of the Accra Pscychiatric Hospital was attended by school children from first and cycle schools

Addressing the gathering , the greater Accra Deputy regional Minister, Mr. Dan Akushie, said thethe solution to drug abuse among children depend on responsible adult behaviour in society.

Mr Akushie said the failure of adult to refrain from smoking and drinking had led to the creation and worsening of conditions which promoted the abuse of drugs in society

"The open display of hard drinking and chain smoking by adults and inapropriate use of medical drugs do not offer children any useful example to emulate "

Better examples set by parents, guradians and other role models in society and the more responsible use of print and audiovisual media in the apropriate use of drugs in general would go a long way to set the stage for the eradication of the drug menace especially among the youth,the Reginal Minster said.

Dr J. B. Asare, specialist in charge of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital said the unless the people played a role in the prevention of drug abuse, starting from the home and community," we shall forever talk about the increase in number of those abusing drugs

He urged parent not only to meet the material needs for their wards but also assure them of their emotional stability by showing genuine love and guide them throughout their lives