The Executive Director of Life out of Alcohol and Drugs Ghana (LOAD-Ghana) Roger Atambire Abaa has called for more education and accurate information on issues of drug abuse and alcoholism in the country.
LOAD GHANA is working toward achieving a drug free society to enable all people realise their God given talent, potentials and purpose in life and contribution. The organisation is based in Sumbrunug, a community in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region.
Speaking to the media at the LOAD Ghana centre at Sumburungu on the commemoration of the 2023 World Drug Day Mr. Abaa explained that there is a lot of misinformation and misconceptions about drugs leading to people becoming addicted to drugs.
According to Mr. Abaa, because of false information by people including individuals who are into drugs, its usage makes many people stay in it.
“The addicts themselves or those who use drugs are there as a result of ignorance. They themselves don’t have knowledge or have tangible information when it comes to substance abuse. Some of them even tune in to defend why it is good for them to use marijuana and other drugs, the benefit they are getting from it, and all of them are lies.”
“So there are lies and misleading information attracting people into drugs, so we just think that we need to do more education. And when they arrive or come here the biggest challenge is the withdrawal and people are not comfortable when you want to confine them. It is difficult staying in one location and getting out.”
Mr. Abaa mentioned that LOAD-Ghana has been confronted with many challenging issues.
The Executive Director said among others challenges the organisation is currently facing include the need to expand the centre, feeding of the residents, inadequate professionals at the centre among others issues. He is therefore calling for support in order for LOAD – Ghana to fully achieve its objectives.
Meanwhile the Residents at LOAD – Ghana, commented on the organisation for helping them to come out from addiction. According to them, drug addiction is very bad for one to find himself or herself in it considering the stigma and avoidances one will get from people because of the situation. They call on the individual who finds themselves in such a condition to avail themselves to be safe by LOAD – Ghana.
Source: A1Radioonline.Com|101.1MHZ|David Azure|Sumburungu|
