Be the generation that says no to drugs – Opare Addo launches campaign against drug abuse

The Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare, has warned Ghanaian youth about the dangers of substance abuse, emphasizing that no dream should be sacrificed for drugs.

Speaking at a press launch of the ‘Red Means Stop’ campaign in Accra on March 26, 2025, to tackle drug abuse in the country, Opare highlighted the devastating impact of opioid addiction, particularly the growing abuse of tramadol-based substances known as 'Red.'

He urged young people to make choices that safeguard their future and called on all well-meaning Ghanaians to support efforts to combat drug abuse.

“Your dreams are too valuable to be sacrificed on drugs. Your potential is too precious to be squandered on fleeting highs. You’ll get high for 10 to 20 minutes, and then you come back to reality,” he cautioned.

Opare likened the fight against drug abuse to the battle against illegal mining (galamsey), insisting that the same intensity and commitment must be applied to addressing the opioid crisis affecting young people.

“Let us be the generation that emphatically says NO to drugs and YES to a future filled with opportunity and hope,” he urged.

The Deputy Minister of Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi stated that 62.3 percent of adolescents in nine Senior High Schools in the Northern Region have used illicit substances at least once in their lifetime.

The CEO of the Youth Employment Agency, Malik Basintale, also emphasized the urgent need to combat drug abuse among Ghanaian youth.

He stressed that substance abuse is a major threat to the future of young people, affecting their productivity and potential.

Musician Lord Paper echoed the minister’s sentiments, urging young people to stay away from drugs.

Olivia Boateng, Head of the Tobacco and Substances Abuse Department at the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), applauded the initiative and pledged her institution’s support in ensuring the campaign’s success.

CEO of the National Youth Authority, Osman Abdulai Ayariga, also graced the event, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to curb drug abuse among young people.

The ‘Red Means Stop’ campaign, launched in collaboration with Entertainment Week Ghana, seeks to combat drug abuse through education, empowerment, and engagement.

The campaign is set to engage schools, communities, and entertainment stakeholders in raising awareness and advocating for stronger policies to curb substance abuse.

The initiative, according to Degraft Oppong, Co-founder of Entertainment Week Ghana, will also focus on rehabilitation efforts for affected youth, ensuring they receive the necessary support to recover and reintegrate into society.

AM/KA

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