Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Deputy Minister for the Interior
Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Deputy Minister for the Interior, has warned that the emergence of dangerous drug combinations, such as “Red”—a lethal mix of tapentadol and carisoprodol—poses a significant threat to Ghana’s youth.
He stated that 62.3 percent of adolescents in nine Senior High Schools in the Northern Region had used illicit substances at least once in their lifetime.
The Deputy Minister made these remarks while joining the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Mr. George Opare-Addo, at the launch of the National Youth Anti-Drug Campaign, dubbed “Ghana Against Drugs (GAD) – Red Means Stop,” aimed at combating the growing substance abuse crisis among the country’s youth.
The campaign, organized by the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, seeks to address the alarming rates of drug abuse among Ghanaian youth.
Mr. Terlabi urged young people to reject drug use, warning that addiction could ruin their future.
He also emphasized the need for collective action, calling on the media, parents, teachers, community leaders, and young people to champion this cause.
Commending the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment for the initiative, he assured him of the Ministry of the Interior’s support.
Mr. Opare-Addo stressed the importance of a multi-faceted approach to tackling the growing substance abuse crisis among Ghana’s youth.
He highlighted that the campaign’s theme, “Red Means Stop,” serves as a call to action for all Ghanaians to take a stand against drug abuse.
The event brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including government ministries, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, and civil society organizations.
The campaign seeks to raise awareness, drive policy discussions, and take decisive action against opioid abuse.