Pastor Emmanuel Trekpe, resident pastor of the Assemblies of God Church at Ankwa Dobro, near Nsawam, has appealed to the youth to shun alcoholism and substance abuse.

He said cultivating these vices would impair their health and ruin their lives.

Pastor Trekpe, who was addressing a cross-section of youth groups at Dobro, told them to focus on their education and embrace discipline to become useful citizens for their families and the nation.

“Do not only respect your immediate family members but extend your courtesy to the elderly in society and also to your teachers,” he said.

According to AlcoholPolicyMD.com, alcohol is a leading cause of death among youth, particularly teenagers in America.

It also contributes substantially to adolescent motor vehicle crashes, other traumatic injuries, suicide, date rape, and family and school problems.

The website, hosted by health professionals dedicated to creating solutions to alcohol abuse across the world, more than 1,400 deaths, 70,000 sexual assaults and 600,000 alcohol related abuse are recorded on American campuses annually.