Rising youth drug abuse in Ghana poses a National threat – Educationist

As Ghana navigates complex national challenges, a quiet but dangerous crisis is festering beneath the surface. The alarming rise in drug abuse among the country’s youth is drawing urgent concern. Experts warn that this growing trend threatens not only public health but also the very fabric of Ghana’s future.

Speaking on WTV’s Sore Na Hyeren Morning Show on July 18, Nicholas Taylor, a respected educationist and seasoned news analyst, had already voiced concerns in academic and civic circles about the moral and social direction of Ghana’s young population. In his most recent televised remarks, he went further, issuing a serious caution about the destructive path hard drugs are creating among the next generation.

A Troubled Future for the Youth

In a deeply reflective tone, Nicholas Taylor revealed his personal fear for the future of Ghana’s youth, particularly those who are being drawn into the grip of substance abuse. What he described painted a troubling picture. The rate at which some young people are getting involved with hard drugs is terrifying. He stated clearly that if society does not act fast, Ghana will raise a generation that will struggle to function socially, mentally, and economically.

Mr. Taylor emphasized that what makes this situation more alarming is the normalization of drug culture among the youth. Once considered taboo, the use of recreational drugs such as tramadol, codeine syrup, marijuana, and imported synthetic substances is now disturbingly common in schools, ghettos, and even some workplaces.

The Root Causes and Social Decay

He traced the surge in drug use to multiple causes including peer pressure, unemployment, broken homes, lack of mentorship, and most significantly the absence of strong moral and educational structures in communities.

The problem is layered. Some young people are trying to escape depression. Others do it for pleasure, out of curiosity, or to feel accepted. But the end result is the same. They lose themselves. And the country loses them too.

He decried the lack of proactive intervention by both parents and community leaders. He insisted that the fight against drug abuse must begin at home and be reinforced by schools and churches. When the systems around the youth collapse, such as the home, the school, and the church, they fall prey to drugs. This is not just a youth problem. It is a national crisis.

A Call to Government and Civil Society

Nicholas Taylor also sent a firm message to government agencies and stakeholders. He urged them to rise above mere rhetoric. He said Ghana needs real solutions, not just discussions. Rehabilitation centers must be properly resourced. Drug education must be intensified in schools. Communities must be empowered to support clean living.

He called for a partnership between the Ghana Education Service, the Ministry of Health, faith-based organizations, traditional authorities, and civil society groups to adopt a united front against the growing threat.

Let us stop pretending this is someone else’s child or someone else’s problem. The youth on drugs today are the citizens, leaders, and workforce of tomorrow. If we fail to save them, we fail the nation.

Hope Through Education and Discipline

Despite the grim reality, Taylor offered a glimmer of hope. As an educationist, he believes the classroom can be a powerful force for reversing the tide. Education must be more than passing exams. It must teach values, purpose, responsibility, and self-respect.

He called on teachers, headmasters, and curriculum developers to embed life skills and anti-drug messages into daily school routines. Do not wait for a special day to talk about drugs. Let it be part of the everyday conversation in our schools.

A National Responsibility

In closing, Nicholas Taylor challenged every Ghanaian from the street hawker to the policymaker to become part of the solution. Let us not bury our heads in the sand. Let us not wait until the streets are flooded with addicts before we say we saw the signs. The time to act is now.

His words serve not just as commentary, but as a national call to action to confront the storm gathering silently at the doorsteps of Ghana’s future.