Upper West Regional Youth Parliament holds sitting to tackle rising drug abuse in Wa

The Upper West Regional Youth Parliament, a youth advocacy group, has convened a parliamentary sitting to address the rising menace of drug and substance abuse in Wa, the capital of the Upper West Region.

The sitting, which was held on March 29, 2025, under the theme, “Drug and Substance Abuse in: Causes, Effects and Way Forward,” was sparked by growing concerns over the alarming rise in drug abuse among the youth in the region.

ANCO Justin Abesig, the Wa Metropolitan Commander of the Ghana Narcotics Control Commission (GNCC), who laid a paper before the parliament, revealed that the problem of drug abuse is becoming increasingly evident in the metropolis.

According to him, the abuse of both legal and illegal drugs, particularly over-the-counter medications, has surged, saying that “these substances are easily accessible and have become the drugs of choice for many individuals, especially the youth.”

ANCO Abesig further highlighted the physical and psychological effects of drug abuse, such as hallucinations, depression and hyperactivity, as he emphasized that many of the abusers, particularly the youth, often display visible signs of addiction, which makes it more difficult to ignore the problem.

He also noted that while his team, along with other agencies, is doing its best to tackle the issue through education and awareness campaigns, there are significant challenges in reaching those involved, especially in communities where drug traders are shielded by residents.

ANCO Abesig urged everyone to take responsibility in the fight against drug abuse by actively participating in the reporting of suspicious activities to the authorities, stating that the failure to address the issue would lead to more social vices, including theft, violence and other crimes committed by addicts desperate to feed their habits.

The Speaker of the Upper West Regional Youth Parliament, Mr. James Baba Anabiga, explained that the motion to discuss drug abuse was prompted by a passionate address from the Upper West Regional Minister, at a courtesy call, who expressed grave concern over the alarming rate at which youth were abusing drugs.

He pointed out that while the Youth Parliament had been advocating for job opportunities for the youth, these efforts would be in vain if the young people were caught in the grip of drug addiction.

Mr. Anabiga described how drug abuse had become so pervasive that it had reached schools, where students, under the influence of drugs, were unable to concentrate or perform academically.

He noted that some individuals were using drugs to enhance their sexual performance, revealing the dangerous lengths to which people were going to satisfy their addictions.

He also shared a personal experience of visiting an area known for drug abuse, where the residents, often drugged, were hostile and on alert, making it difficult for outsiders to intervene or offer help.

On his part, Lawyer Charles Lwanga Puozuing, the Upper West Regional Minister, addressing the sitting, said steps were being taken to address the drug abuse crisis.

He announced the formation of a committee, comprising various security agencies and traditional authorities, to take a more coordinated approach to tackling the issue head-on.

The sitting was attended by the Upper West Regional Director of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Madam Vida Addi and other key stakeholders.