According to Ghana News Agency:ccording to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Frank Wilson Bodza, the Deputy Director of Conflict Management and Resolution at the NPC, emphasized that those affected by drug abuse are more susceptible to recruitment by nefarious organizations. “For such people, any effort by any person to influence them becomes an easy thing to do, because they will not be stable in mind,” Mr. Bodza stated. He noted that drug addicts, driven by the need to obtain substances, might align with any entity that provides the means to support their habits.

Mr. Bodza’s remarks came during an interview in Wa, where he addressed national concerns regarding the rise in drug abuse among Ghana’s youth and the potential threat of violent extremism. He pointed out that drug abuse poses a significant security concern, not only for the present but also for the future, as it risks depleting the nation’s vital human resources.

“For young people to indulge in drug abuse is a critical concern to every parent, every leader of the state, including even the communities they are coming from,” Mr. Bodza explained. He cautioned that youth engaged in drug abuse could jeopardize their personal security, becoming prime suspects in criminal activities, even when innocent.

Mr. Bodza also highlighted the broader implications of drug abuse, such as mental health issues that could strain state resources. He underscored the importance of state-provided psychological support to help rehabilitate drug addicts and restore them to normalcy. Additionally, he advocated for social support, including employment, education, and skills training, to engage young people constructively and steer them away from drug and substance abuse.

“As far as people are engaged meaningfully, they will move away from some of these negative tendencies (drug abuse),” Mr. Bodza concluded.