[ 2021-02-22 ]

GES to implement tighter regimes to deal with drug abuse
The Ghana Education Service has promised to
implement tighter regimes to deal with drug and
substance abuse in schools following disturbing
details from research in over 100 basic and senior
high schools in the country.

Speaking to JoyNews’ Emefa Apawu,
Director-General of the GES Prof Kwasi Opoku
Amankwah, said that his outfit is yet to review
the report, however, they are ready to look at the
recommendations given and take steps to ensure
that the relevant measures are put in place.

“So let us spend some time to study the report,
look at what they actually came out with, and see
how best we can tighten the measures we have and
any other recommendations they have so we can
improve on the system,” he said.

This comes after a report by the Consultative
Committee to Combat Drug Menace in Schools
established that about 54.1% of boys in Junior
High and Senior High Schools use cannabis.



According to a survey which was carried out by the
Committee, 59.9% of boys tend to use cigarettes
more in schools.

It further established that 36% of boys and 32.1%
of girls use alcohol in schools, while 34.3% of
girls use shisha in schools.

Also, it was recorded that 72.7% of girls use pain
relivers in schools.

The survey was conducted in 176 schools to
ascertain the source and cause of an increase in
drug use in various Senior High and Junior High
Schools in the country, following the
establishment of the Committee under a directive
by President Akufo-Addo.

Meanwhile, Prof Opoku Amankwah says GES is ready
to implement already existing measures to help
clamp down on substance abuse.

He stated that “there are counselling programs
in the schools that they go through and there are
punishments for people who go through some of
these issues.”

Prof Opoku Amankwah added that while already
existing measures are being implemented, GES will
look at the recommendations and provide stricter
measures.

Source - Joyfm

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