A youth-led non-governmental organisation, New Generation of African Liberators (N.G.O.A.L), has intensified its campaign against drug abuse among schoolchildren within the Ablekuma North Municipality. 

The two-day sensitisation programme, held at the Kwashieman Cluster of Schools, brought together pupils, teachers, health professionals, and education authorities to raise awareness on the dangers of substance abuse among the youth.

Public Health Nurse with the Ablekuma North Municipal Health Directorate, Agnes Maud Naa Kordai Ghansah, said the initiative was crucial to help young people understand what drug abuse really means.

“Some of the children don’t even know that taking unprescribed drugs or using their parents’ medication is drug abuse. We came here to impart knowledge and help them know the difference between prescribed and unprescribed drugs,” she explained. She also advised parents to be observant of their children’s behaviour and act quickly when they notice unusual changes.

“Know your child. When you see strange acts or isolation, it could be a sign that something is wrong. Parents need to pay attention before it’s too late,” she urged.

The Municipal Education Coordinator, Mahamudu Bill, described the campaign as timely, noting that some schools are located close to drug hideouts locally referred to as “bunkers,” which expose pupils to negative influences.

“We’ve identified communities where children are easily influenced by these hideouts. That’s why we, as a municipality, find it important to support N.G.O.A.L.’s initiative to make pupils assertive enough to say no to drugs,” he said.

He added that the education directorate has been conducting community engagements to identify and tackle issues that make pupils vulnerable to drug use, calling on parents and local leaders to work together in curbing the menace.

Consultant and coordinator for N.G.O.A.L., Richmond Rockson, cautioned that drug abuse is not limited to hard substances such as tramadol or cocaine but also includes self-medication.

“Most youth think buying tramadol or opioids is the only form of drug abuse. But taking any medication without medical advice is also drug abuse,” he said. “It destroys you physically, mentally, and professionally. It will affect your education, your career, and your future. Say no to drugs; they kill slowly.”

He expressed concern that easy access to over-the-counter medicines and peer pressure have made substance use a growing challenge among young people, especially those in deprived communities.

Head of the steering committee, Zuweiratu Solomon, said the campaign, themed “Say No to Drugs, Prioritize Your Health,” seeks to empower pupils with the knowledge to protect their health and ambitions. 

“We’re targeting the youth to let them understand that not only are hard drugs dangerous, but also the misuse of everyday medicines. We want to impact them early so they can make the right choices for their future,” she said.

According to her, the initiative also aims to reach parents, since children often learn by observation. “If we can educate both pupils and guardians, the message will spread faster and more effectively,” she added. 

Several pupils who participated in the session said the programme had changed their perception about what constitutes drug abuse, with many pledging to avoid substances and encourage their peers to stay drug-free.

The two-day advocacy campaign ended on Thursday, but organizers say plans are underway to extend it to other basic schools within and beyond the municipality. N.G.O.A.L. has indicated that the campaign will move to other regions in the coming months, targeting at least 50 schools nationwide by the end of next year.

 The group says it remains committed to building a generation of disciplined, healthy, and responsible young Africans capable of contributing positively to national development.