A survey report has revealed chilling insights into the staggering scale of substance exposure within Ghana’s educational institutions. Findings from the report indicate that 1 in 3 students in Senior High School (SHSs) have been introduced to drug use.
The findings, released by the Ministry for Youth Development, indicate that 41% of tertiary students and 37% of Senior High School (SHS) students are currently exposed to the drug trade or consumption, sparking fears of a looming public health crisis.
The exposure statistics are even more troubling in Colleges of Education institutions in Ghana. The data indicates that about 54% of students surveyed admitted being exposed to drugs. This paints a sobering picture of Ghana’s future.
Ghana’s Minister for Youth Development, George Opare-Addo, has expressed deep concern regarding the revelations.
The minister has admitted that the data, gathered late last year, sent shockwaves through the government.
“After the survey at the Ministry for Youth Development late last year, our findings scared all of us. 41% of our tertiary students and 37% of our SHS students report exposure to drug use,” Mr Opare-Addo stated.
He cautioned that if left unaddressed, the trend poses a terminal threat to the academic integrity of the education sector and the collective well-being of the nation’s youth.
