According to Chosen Rehab Center, a recent survey has revealed that 80% of Ghanaian school-going children, from primary to Senior High School level, have experimented with drugs.

This was made known when Chosen Rehab Center organized a sensitization program on drug addiction for students of Osu Presbyterian Senior High School to educate them on the harmful effects of drug abuse.

Speaking to the media, Kweku Gardiner, Recovery Ambassador for Chosen Rehab Center, called on teachers from various secondary schools to make themselves available whenever the Center organizes sensitization programs for students.

“If you teach children only Mathematics and English without educating them on the negative effects of drug abuse, they may grow up to become addicts,” he stated.

According to him, teachers’ efforts to impart knowledge will be meaningless if students fall into drug addiction.

Students who took part in the session commended Chosen Rehab Center for the initiative. Many said the engagement had opened their eyes to the realities of drug abuse and would help them make better choices.

“This program will help us stay away from drugs and other bad influences that can destroy our education and future,” one student remarked.

The students also noted that they had learned there is hope for recovery. “We now know that anyone struggling with drug addiction can change through Chosen Rehab Center, as long as they truly want to quit,” they added.

Chosen Rehab Center says it will continue its school outreach programs across the country as part of efforts to curb drug abuse among the youth.

Report by Bernard K Dadzie Greater Accra Region