Ghana’s Youth at Risk: Hon. Haruna Mohammed Calls for Urgent Action on Drug Abuse

The escalating rate of drug abuse among Ghanaian youth has sparked a passionate plea from Hon. Haruna Mohammed to the government to establish rehabilitation centers across the country. Speaking on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on the floor of parliament, Honourable Haruna Mohammed highlighted the alarming statistics on substance abuse among Ghana’s youth and the devastating impact it has on their lives and the nation as a whole.

Read Full Statement:

“STATEMENT BY HON. HARUNA MOHAMMED ON THE ESCALATING DRUG ABUSE AMONG GHANAIAN YOUTH AND THE URGENT NEED FOR GOVERNMENT-ESTABLISHED REHABILITATION CENTERS

Thank you, Rt. Hon. Speaker, for the opportunity to address this august House. Today, the 26th of June 2025, we join the global community in commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking or the World Drug Day, designated by the United Nations General Assembly. In Ghana, this issue is particularly pressing, as the alarming rise in substance abuse among our youth demands immediate and decisive action.

Mr. Speaker, the global drug crisis affects millions, with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reporting that nearly 200 million people use illicit drugs worldwide, including cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and synthetic substances. Less than one-fifth of those affected receive adequate treatment.

In Ghana, the situation is dire. According to a 2023 study by the Ghana Health Service and the Mental Health Authority, approximately 1.25 million Ghanaians grapple with drug-related issues, with marijuana, tramadol, codeine, and synthetic opioids being the most prevalent. A 2024 study by the Department of Children, Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, revealed that 7% of adolescents aged 10–17 reported lifetime alcohol use, with increasing experimentation with substances like tramadol.

Shockingly, the Mental Health Authority noted in 2023 that 3,765 cases of mental disorders were linked to alcohol and 5,554 to other psychoactive substances, predominantly affecting the 20–34 age group, with children as young as 10–14 presenting substance-related conditions.

Mr. Speaker, a disturbing social media trend known as “Wonim Red?” or “Red 225” has emerged, linked to the abuse of an unlicensed combination of tapentadol and carisoprodol, known as Super Royal-225. This dangerous substance poses severe risks, including seizures, respiratory distress, and death. Videos of youth, some in school uniforms, engaging in substance use have proliferated on social media, normalizing this perilous behavior and amplifying the crisis.

Ghana’s current rehabilitation infrastructure is woefully inadequate. Facilities like Pantang Hospital, Accra Psychiatric Hospital, and Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital are overstretched, with limited capacity to meet the growing demand for counseling, detoxification, and rehabilitation. Access to residential rehabilitation, particularly in Accra and other regions, remains severely constrained.

Mr. Speaker, to address this public health crisis and align with the global call for action, I propose the following urgent measures:

1. Establishment of Regional Rehabilitation Centers: The creation of well-funded, state-of-the-art rehabilitation centers in every region, staffed with trained professionals to provide comprehensive care, including detoxification, counseling, and reintegration programs.

2. Strengthened Public Awareness Campaigns: Intensify nationwide campaigns through traditional media, community outreach, and social media to educate the public on the dangers of substance abuse.

3. Regulation and Monitoring of Harmful Substances and Trends: Collaborate with the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), and cybersecurity agencies to regulate the sale of prescription drugs like tramadol and monitor social media platforms to curb the spread of harmful trends.

4. Investment in Data-Driven Policies: Leverage research and data collection, as emphasized by this year’s theme, to inform targeted interventions, drawing inspiration from global successes like Portugal’s model of prioritizing treatment over punishment.

Mr. Speaker, the escalating rate of drug abuse among Ghanaian youth threatens the future of our nation. On this International Drug Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to a people-centered approach that prioritizes prevention, rehabilitation, and the elimination of stigma. The time to act is now.

I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to address this critical issue.”