Chairman of the National Peace Council, Professor Emmanuel Asante, is calling on churches in the country to use their Sunday Schools to intensify education on drug abuse as part of measures to curb illicit drug abuse among the youth.
In his view, it’s about time Sunday Schools moved away from the teachings of Bible stories and rather instill in the children the knowledge of drug abuse and its effects on their future life and the society.
“We really need to educate the Sunday School children about drug abuse and its effects by moving away from Bible stories and talk about societal issues that will help build and shape the future of our children,” he told Onua FM Tuesday.
His call comes on the back of reports of rampant abuse of drugs among the youth and its possible impact on the future of the country.
The youth in recent times moved away from the traditional illicit drugs to abusing prescribed-only drugs like tramadol, as well as potion of combination of drugs.
The situation, according to Prof. Asante, was becoming a concern to society hence the need to intensify drug abuse education from homes where parental responsibility is deemed strong, and then extend it to institutions like the churches.
“Government has a role to play in the fight against drug abuse and we the church leaders, traditional rulers and parents who are the main stakeholders in child upbringing also have a vital role to play as well,” he added.
Prof. Asante was livid at the current state of the social welfare and called on the government to resource them and other agencies to be fully functional to help curtail the widespread of drug abuse in the country.