Features
Drug Abuse ….the new normal
Drug abuse must be curbed
Ghana, known for its vibrant and lively youth, now faces crisis as drug abuse takes the centre stage.
In recent years, drug abuse has seeped into the very fabric of society, with the younger generation gripped by its pervasive influence. Parents, educators, and policymakers alike are sounding the alarm as the new normal threatens the future of the Ghanaian youth.
In this in-depth article, we shall delve into the root causes of this epidemic, explore the various substances fuelling the trend, and examine the dire consequences it has on the nation’s most valuable asset – “The Youth”.
Drug abuse is commonly described as the excessive and detrimental utilsation of various substances, which encompass both illegal drugs and the inappropriate usage of prescription medications. It entails the repetitive and compulsive intake of these substances beyond their intended purposes, resulting in adverse effects on the person’s physical and mental health, interpersonal connections and general welfare.
The rise in drug abuse has caught the attention of many. Something that once served as a gathering for bonding and joyous experience now serve as platforms for risky drug trials. This once-hidden issue has emerged from obscurity, posing a profound challenge to the core values of the Ghanaian society.
Factors influencing the epidemic
Various factors have contributed to the rise of drug abuse among the Ghanaian youth, casting a cloud of uncertainty over the nation’s future.
One of the many factors is the socio-economic differences in society. The widening gap between the rich and poor has left many disillusioned and desperate, driving them towards drugs as a coping mechanism for their struggles.
Also, the rapid urbanisation of Ghana has led to a sense of disconnection from traditional values, pushing the youth towards drugs as a means of belonginess and acceptance.
Another factor that has a high influence on the epidemic is the influence of the media. The glorification of drug culture in popular music, movies, and social media has permeated the psyche of impressionable minds, normalising dangerous behaviour.
The lack of mental health support is also a factor as it has forced some individuals to turn to drugs as self-medication, exacerbating the issue. The glamour of substances as an escape from life’s hardships has captivated the younger generation, leading to a notable rise in usage.
Substances in Vogue
Variety of substances has gained popularity among Ghana’s young generation, each carrying its own appeal and dangers. Some of these drugs such as marijuana which is commonly referred to as “wee” or “ganja,” has medicinal benefits and easily availability thus making it the preferred drug for many.
The abuse of tramadol, a painkiller has surged due to its numbing effects, leading to addiction and severe health problems.
Codeine Cough Syrup which is often mixed with soda or energy drinks and known as “lean” or “purple drank”, has become a hazardous trend among the youth, resulting in health risks and addiction.
Shisha also known as “hookah” has gained popularity among the Ghanaian youth as a social and recreational activity. Flavoured tobacco, often in various appealing flavours, is smoked using a water pipe. Despite the perception of being less harmful than cigarettes, shisha smoking still poses health risks, including nicotine addiction and exposure to harmful chemicals released during the smoking process.
Consequences of the New Normal
As the drug abuse epidemic becomes the new norm among the Ghanaian youth, the effects reverberate far and wide, casting a dark shadow over individuals and the nation as a whole.
The long-term abuse of drugs takes a devastating toll on physical and mental health.
Drug Users and abusers face increased risks of chronic diseases, respiratory issues, and mental disorders. The burden on the healthcare system escalates as treatment and rehabilitation demand more resources, hindering the nation’s ability to provide quality healthcare to all.
Drug abuse again, significantly disrupts cognitive abilities, affecting academic performance among the youth. Diminished focus, memory lapses, and impaired decision-making hinder their potential to excel in education. Consequently, the future workforce faces diminished productivity and struggles to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.
The pursuit of money to sustain drug habits propels some youth towards criminal activities. Engaging in theft, robbery, or drug-related offenses becomes a desperate means to fuel their addiction. The vicious cycle of crime and violence further destabiliszes communities, undermining the safety and well-being of all citizens.
With a growing population of unproductive and unhealthy individuals, Ghana is likely to face economic challenges. Drug abuse depletes the workforce’s potential, limiting economic growth and prosperity. Increased dependence on social welfare systems strains government resources, diverting funds that could have been invested in vital developmental projects.
Addressing the Crises
To combat the pressing issue of substance addiction, a comprehensive and multifaceted approach is necessary. Drawing upon the insights of experts, healthcare professionals, and support groups, the following strategies emerge as key elements in addressing the crisis.
Medications such as Methadone, Buprenorphine, Naltrexone, and Lofexidine play a vital role in moderating withdrawal symptoms during opioid addiction treatment. However, it is crucial to conduct thorough investigations and involve specialists to tailor treatment plans to individual needs, as certain conditions may require special attention.
Also, Psychotherapy including evidence-based approaches such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), are essential components of addiction treatment. These therapies help individuals understand and manage triggers, develop coping mechanisms, and promote behavioural change.
Another element in managing the crisis is Detoxification which involves managing withdrawal symptoms while aiming for abstinence. This process is guided by the principle of cross-tolerance, wherein one addictive substance is replaced with another and gradually withdrawn. Regular follow-up and monitoring of individuals with substance use disorders are crucial to track treatment progress, identify necessary adjustments, and provide ongoing support.
Leveraging local resources and support groups is integral to the recovery journey. In Ghana, organisations like the Hopeful Way Foundation and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health provide vital support to individuals and families affected by addiction. The Mental Health Authority also plays a crucial role in providing resources and guidance. Support groups also provide a sense of community, understanding, and encouragement, facilitating the recovery process for those grappling with addiction.
Conclusion
The consequences of the drug abuse epidemic in Ghana are evident and demand immediate attention. As a nation, we must confront this issue with unwavering resolve and solidarity. Intensively educating the youth about the risks of drug abuse, ensuring easily accessible rehabilitation services, strengthening law enforcement, and prioritising mental health support are crucial measures to combat this pressing crisis. Additionally, with the recent passing of the law legalising cannabis for medicinal use, there is the need to monitor its potential impact on drug use trends.
Addressing the growing acceptance of drug abuse will guide Ghana towards a brighter and healthier future for its youth and the entire nation. By joining forces, we can rekindle hope, resilience, and prosperity for generations to come.
By Josephine Nyorkor Ntreh
Level 300 student, Ghana
Institute of Journalism (GIJ)
Features
Tears of Ghanaman, home and abroad
The typical native of Sikaman is by nature a hospitable creature, a social animal with a big heart, a soul full of the milk of earthly goodness, and a spirit too loving for its own comfort.
Ghanaman hosts a foreign pal and he spends a fortune to make him very happy and comfortable-good food, clean booze, excellent accommodation and a woman for the night.
Sometimes the pal leaves without saying a “thank you but Ghanaman is not offended. He’d host another idiot even more splendidly. His nature is warm, his spirit benevolent. That is the typical Ghanaian and no wonder that many African-Americans say, “If you haven’t visited Ghana. Then you’ve not come to Africa.
You can even enter the country without a passport and a visa and you’ll be welcomed with a pot of palm wine.
If Ghanaman wants to go abroad, especially to an European country or the United States, it is often after an ordeal.
He has to doze in a queue at dawn at the embassy for days and if he is lucky to get through to being interviewed, he is confronted by someone who claims he or she has the power of discerning truth from lie.
In short Ghanaman must undergo a lie-detector test and has to answer questions that are either nonsensical or have no relevance to the trip at hand. When Joseph Kwame Korkorti wanted a visa to an European country, the attache studied Korkorti’s nose for a while and pronounced judgment.
“The way I see you, you won’t return to Ghana if I allow you to go. Korkorti nearly dislocated her jaw; Kwasiasem akwaakwa. In any case what had Korkorti’s nose got to do with the trip?
If Ghanaman, after several attempts, manages to get the visa and lands in the whiteman’s land, he is seen as another monkey uptown, a new arrival of a degenerate ape coming to invade civilized society. He is sneered at, mocked at and avoided like a plague. Some landlords abroad will not hire their rooms to blacks because they feel their presence in itself is bad business.
When a Sikaman publisher landed overseas and was riding in a public bus, an urchin who had the impudence and notoriety of a dead cockroach told his colleagues he was sure the black man had a tail which he was hiding in his pair of trousers. He didn’t end there. He said he was in fact going to pull out the tail for everyone to see.
True to his word he went and put his hand into the backside of the bewildered publisher, intent on grabbing his imaginary tail and pulling it out. It took a lot of patience on the part of the publisher to avert murder. He practically pinned the white miscreant on the floor by the neck and only let go when others intervene. Next time too…
The way we treat our foreign guests in comparison with the way they treat us is polar contrasting-two disparate extremes, one totally incomparable to the other. They hound us for immigration papers, deport us for overstaying and skinheads either target homes to perpetrate mayhem or attack black immigrants to gratify their racial madness
When these same people come here we accept them even more hospitably than our own kin. They enter without visas, overstay, impregnate our women and run away.
About half of foreigners in this country do not have valid resident permits and was not a bother until recently when fire was put under the buttocks of the Immigration Service
In fact, until recently I never knew Sikaman had an Immigration Service. The problem is that although their staff look resplendent in their green outfit, you never really see them anywhere. You’d think they are hidden from the public eye.
The first time I saw a group of them walking somewhere, I nearly mistook them for some sixth-form going to the library. Their ladies are pretty though.
So after all, Sikaman has an Immigration Service which I hear is now alert 24 hours a day tracking down illegal aliens and making sure they bound the exit via Kotoka International. A pat on their shoulder.
I am glad the Interior Ministry has also realised that the country has been too slack about who goes out or comes into Sikaman.
Now the Ministry has warned foreigners not to take the country’s commitment to its obligations under the various conditions as a sign of weakness or a source for the abuse of her hospitality.
“Ghana will not tolerate any such abuse,” Nii Okaija Adamafio, the Interior Minister said, baring his teeth and twitching his little moustache. He was inaugurating the Ghana Refugee and Immigration Service Boards.
He said some foreigners come in as tourists, investors, consultants, skilled workers or refugees. Others come as ‘charlatans, adventurers or plain criminals. “
Yes, there are many criminals among them. Our courts have tried a good number of them for fraud and misconduct.
It is time we welcome only those who would come and invest or tour and go back peacefully and not those whose criminal intentions are well-hidden but get exposed in due course of time.
This article was first published on Saturday March 14, 1998
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Features
Decisions have consequences
In this world, it is always important to recognise that every action or decision taken, has consequences.
It can result in something good or bad, depending on the quality of the decision, that is, the factors that were taken into account in the decision making.
The problem with a bad decision is that, in some instances, there is no opportunity to correct the result even though you have regretted the decision, which resulted in the unpleasant outcome.
This is what a friend of mine refers to as having regretted an unregretable regret. After church last Sunday, I was watching a programme on TV and a young lady was sharing with the host, how a bad decision she took, had affected her life immensely and adversely.
She narrated how she met a Caucasian and she got married to him. The white man arranged for her to join him after the marriage and processes were initiated for her to join her husband in UK. It took a while for the requisite documentation to be procured and during this period, she took a decision that has haunted her till date.
According to her narration, she met a man, a Ghanaian, who she started dating, even though she was a married woman.
After a while her documents were ready and so she left to join her husband abroad without breaking off the unholy relationship with the man from Ghana.
After she got to UK, this man from Ghana, kept pressuring her to leave the white man and return to him in Ghana. The white man at some point became a bit suspicious and asked about who she has been talking on the phone with for long spells, and she lied to him that it was her cousin.
Then comes the shocker. After the man from Ghana had sweet talked her continuously for a while, she decided to leave her husband and return to Ghana after only three weeks abroad.
She said, she asked the guy to swear to her that he would take care of both her and her mother and the guy swore to take good care of her and her mother as well as rent a 3-bedroom flat for her. She then took the decision to leave her husband and return to Ghana.
She told her mum that she was returning to Ghana to marry the guy in Ghana. According to her, her mother vigorously disagreed with her decision and wept.
She further added that her mum told her brother and they told her that they were going to tell her husband about her intentions.
According to her, she threatened that if they called her husband to inform him, then she would commit suicide, an idea given to her by the boyfriend in Ghana.
Her mum and brother afraid of what she might do, agreed not to tell her husband. She then told her husband that she was returning to Ghana to attend her Grandmother’s funeral.
The husband could not understand why she wanted to go back to Ghana after only three weeks stay so she had to lie that in their tradition, grandchildren are required to be present when the grandmother dies and is to be buried.
She returned to Ghana; the flat turns into a chamber and hall accommodation, the promise to take care of her mother does not materialise and generally she ends up furnishing the accommodation herself. All the promises given her by her boyfriend, turned out to be just mere words.
A phone the husband gave her, she left behind in UK out of guilty conscience knowing she was never coming back to UK.
Through that phone and social media, the husband found out about his boyfriend and that was the end of her marriage.
Meanwhile, things have gone awry here in Ghana and she had regretted and at a point in her narration, was trying desperately to hold back tears. Decisions indeed have consequences.
NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
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