Opioid abuse among tertiary students alarming — Youth Minister

By Rebecca Okine

The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has revealed that a nationwide study has uncovered alarming levels of opioid and substance abuse among young people in tertiary institutions.

Speaking at the launch of the Youth Sounding Board, a partnership between the European Union and the Government of the Netherlands, Mr Opare Addo stated that the research sampled nearly all tertiary campuses across the country.

It exposed disturbing patterns of drug misuse that threaten both productivity and social stability.

“Based on what we found, the issue is deeply worrying. I will first brief the President before releasing the full details to the public,” he said.

The Minister assured members of the Youth Sounding Board of the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with youth-led groups to tackle challenges affecting young people, including substance abuse.

Opioids are a class of drugs commonly prescribed for pain relief. These include substances such as tramadol, morphine and codeine.

While medically beneficial when used appropriately, they can be highly addictive. Misuse of opioids has become a major global health concern, often leading to dependence, mental health issues and, in some cases, overdose.

Mr Opare Addo emphasised that the government views the issue as urgent and will roll out measures in collaboration with stakeholders to safeguard the future of Ghana’s youth.