Wamfie (B/A), Jan. 3, GNA - Three prominent citizens in the Dormaa E= ast District have condemned narcotic drug abuse, particularly 93wee" smoking= , among the youth in the area.

The three citizens are Mr. Yaw Ntow Ababio, a Member of Parliament, th= e Very Rev Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Catholic Bishop of Sunyani and Barima Oppong Kyeremeh Sikafuor, Chief of Dormaa-Akwamu. The three personalities condemned the youth's 93self-destructive behaviour" when they launched a scholarship scheme initiated by Mr. Emman= uel Sarfo, a lecturer at the English Department of the University of Cape Coast= , for basic and second cycle students in the area at Wamfie.

In separate speeches they advised the youth to take advantage of interventions to become employable.

They deplored some negative tendencies among the youth, especially the increasing spate of marijuana smoking.

They said the practice had gained grounds in all key communities in th= e district and Barima Oppong Kyeremeh Sikafuor, Assistant Registrar of the University of Cape Coast, said he had received reports about Indian hemp smokers who engaged in the practice even in cemeteries and wielded guns to ward off arrest.

Bishop Gyamfi expressed regret that the practice was not limited to th= e youth alone but the adult population as well.

The three personalities appealed to the security agencies, religious and traditional authorities and politicians in the area to adopt comprehensive measures to reduce drug abuse in general and 93wee' smokin= g in particular among the people.