Engagements on drug abuse for identifiable groups

The Cape Coast Metro Directorate took to the Principal streets of Cape Coast to educate the youth on the Menace of drug abuse in the Metropolis.

Identifiable groups, especially saloons and stalls, as well as the fisherfolk communities, were visited to sensitize the youth on the harmful effects of hard drugs such as wee, cocaine, tramadol capsules, red, and other liquid opioids like 120, and other substances that the youth also smoke.

Araba Aikins [Assistant Director], with Fred Mac-Ocloo [Assistant Director] and Vivian Affor [CEO], went around on foot to nine communities/Identifiable bodies.

Physically, the youth were educated on the harmful effects these drugs have on the human kidneys, heart, and liver.

Socially, the harmful effects of hard drugs discussed related issues of high crime rates, including armed robbery, rape cases, kidnapping, and ritual murders.

Issues that were related to drug abuse, including child neglect, poverty, and the fast lifestyles of okada/pragya drivers, were also discussed.

Citizens who were involved in hard drugs were also reminded of laws governing such behaviours, with a minimum of 10 years' imprisonment for anyone caught in the act.

Feedback from youth engaged also expressed concern about how young people, especially in the fishing communities getting hold of hard drugs.

They urged authorities to punish individuals caught in possession of these hard drugs to serve as deterrents to society at large.