Dormaa-Ahenkro (B/A), Jan. 8, GNA=96 Mr. Kwaku Agyemang Manu, Deputy Minister of Interior, has expressed regret about the upsurge of wee smoking among the youth at Dormaa Ahenkro in the Brong Ahafo Region and called for immediate steps to arrest the situation. He said any further delay in eliminating the practice would only lead many of the youths to psychiatric hospitals. Mr. Manu made the call when he organized an end-of-year get-together for heads of department and members of the press at Dormaa-Ahenkro.

He identified a spot near the Methodist chapel building in the town, where he said the youths, both boys and girls, besieged daily to indulge in the practice.

"Patronage is very high and residents in the vicinity are subjected to the constant foul smell of the Indian hemp, while the smokers are identified by their peculiar arrogant life-styles", Mr. Manu said.

The Deputy Minister, who is a citizen of the area, called on civil society to help address the menace, since 93the child's life is like a piece of paper on which every passer-by is expected to leave a mark".

"The repercussions of drug abuse far out-weigh the physical and mental derangement of mad persons", he said. Mr. Manu charged the media to operate within the ethics of the profession and be guided by social etiquette and the national interest above all others.