Sunyani, March 1, GNA - Nana George Kofi Dadzie, a member of the

Council of State has bemoaned the upsurge of drug abuse in the country's second cycle institutions. "Almost all the second cycle schools in the country are bedevilled with the drug abuse menace and this is a very dangerous phenomenon, which needed to be tackled urgently," he said.

Nana Dadzie made the observation at the 15th anniversary and the second speech and prize giving day of Infant Jesus Primary and Junior High School in Sunyani on Friday. The anniversary was on the theme: "Sustainability of the country's growth and development-the role of the child." Nana Dadzie said government's efforts to produce a sound and quality human resource- base needed for national development would be a mirage if the issue of drug abuse was not seriously dealt with. He said the fight against drug abuse especially wee smoking among the youth was a shared responsibility and implored all and sundry to participate and bring the situation under control. Nana Dadzie said government was making strenuous efforts to support private schools so that they could continue to contribute meaningfully towards the education sector.

He advised the students to study hard and eschew all forms of unhealthy lifestyle that could ruin their future. Nana Kwadwo Kwakyie II, Proprietor of the school said the academic facility, which started with only 16 students could now boast of 420. He warned the students against lateness and absenteeism.