The drug abuse menace has become something of a miasma that seems to have eaten deep into the very fabric of our societies which also seem to continue unabated. There have been various attempts made at arresting such a menace by various stakeholders through projects or initiatives that would bring to the fore the dangers of drugs. Some of these projects or initiatives have not been far-reaching.

It is on this basis that, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and seeing the need to joining the chorus in the fight against drug abuse especially among the youth, Samartex Company Ltd. held a three-day Drug Abuse Awareness Campaign to conscientize the general public on the dangers of drug abuse by reaching out to a wider audience.

The awareness, which began from the 30th November to the 2nd December, was mostly targeted at the youth in Samreboi and its environs in the Western Region.

On the first day, an outreach programme was held by the staff of the Samartex Hospital so as to interact with the people in the area by bringing to the fore the dangers that drug abuse poses to the communities and the country at large. Staff had a one on one interaction with the people especially young adults on the challenges they are facing with regards to drug abuse and proferring better ways to overcome these challenges.

The second day and the penultimate began with a float from Abofie, through Bekwai to Tigarikrom all in the Samreboi area. The day was climaxed by a football gala with the likes of Karela FC, Medeama FC, Achiken FC and Samartex FC locking horns against one another for the ultimate prize. Karela and Samartex FC made it to the finals following the elimination of Achiken and Medeama FC respectively.

The Samartex Stadium was the venue to mark the end of the campaign as the grand finale was held there. The General Manager of Samartex Company Ltd, Mr. Ransford Quaidoo, gave a speech to reiterate the imperativeness of the campaign. He pointed out the debilitating effects of drug abuse and the effects it has on the Samreboi community. He urged the people, especially the youth, to abstain from drug abuse and make meaningful life choices for a better future.

Brother Kishki, a drug abuse campaigner and an Ambassador for Drug-Free World in the USA, also added his voice to the chorus on drug abuse. He brought to light the harmful effects of drug abuse and the potential to affect the forward movement of the country if proper measures are not put in place.

The final match between Samartex FC and Karela FC could not produce any goal in the ninety (90) minutes and this led to penalty shootouts with Samartex carrying the day after the shootouts.

The Managing Director, Mr. Richard Nsenkyire, presented the trophy to the worthy winners, Samartex FC through their captain, Kofi Nunoo and further urged the gathering to be ambassadors of the drug abuse campaign so as to reach a wider audience as the drug menace is everyone’s fight.

It was a campaign well executed and the message well assimilated. Samartex has always been a pacesetter in seeing to the welfare of the people. It does not renege in its efforts in seeking for the betterment of the society and people and it is about time other establishments take a cue from Samartex so the desired goals and aspirations of the country can be realized.

Samartex is built on strong values and principles and would always strive in the right direction to ensure that the society becomes better off and not worse off.