Tamale, May 30, GNA – Mr Peter Mintir Amadu, the Executive Director of Total Life Enhancement Centre, Ghana (TOLEC-GH), has appealed to the Government to prioritise the provision of psychological and emotional support services to the youth engaged in drug abuse.
He made the appeal during a follow up visit to youth groups engaged in substance abuse in the Tamale Metropolis under the Tamale Ghettos Project, with the beneficiary groups including the Lamashegu Dam, Bilpela Dam, and the Lamashegu Quarters ghettos.
Mr Amadu said the visit was to help assess the progress of the project, which was implemented last year, in collaboration with the Coalition of Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) on Drug Abuse.
The project seeks to sensitise youth groups on the negative implications associated with substance abuse and bring psychological and emotional support services to them to facilitate their rehabilitation into society.
Mr Gabriel King Akpalu, the President of the Coalition of NGOs on Drug Abuse, said there was the need to develop a comprehensive approach to address the needs of the groups.
Their successful reintegration would require the involvement of all stakeholders, he said, and called for the implementation of policies and programmes that would enhance their rehabilitation.
Abdulai Jabri, Leader of the youth group at the Lamashegu Dam Ghetto, said most of the members were qualified artisans, including masons and electricians with professionals like drivers also amongst them, and called on government and other stakeholders to help provide jobs for them.
GNA