By Edward Dankwah, GNA
Accra, Aug. 14, GNA – Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, the Director-General, Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), has cautioned young people against popular misconceptions about cannabis, stressing that its plant-based origin does not make it harmless or incapable of affecting the brain.
He said cannabis use came with significant consequences, particularly for cognitive functions such as memory, judgment and decision-making.
A statement issued to the Ghana News Agency said the Director-General was addressing students and young people drawn from all 16 regions of Ghana at the National Youth Conference, held at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.
Major Gen. Mantey said one of the most persistent myths among young people was the belief that because cannabis was obtained from a plant, it was naturally safe and did not pose serious risks to users.
He urged the youth to reject such misconceptions and rely on credible scientific information when making decisions about substance use.
“The fact that cannabis is a plant does not mean that it cannot affect you. It affects the brain, your memory and your ability to make sound decisions,” he stressed.
He said contrary to the perception among some young people that cannabis could make them smarter or improve their intellectual abilities, the substance could negatively affect cognitive functions and impair a person’s capacity to make appropriate decisions.
The Director-General noted that such misconceptions were particularly dangerous because they could encourage experimentation and eventually lead to regular use, especially among young people who may be influenced by peers or information circulating on social media.
Major Gen. Mantey emphasised the importance of protecting the younger generation from substance abuse, noting that young people constituted an important part of Ghana’s future and must therefore be equipped with accurate information to make responsible choices.
He encouraged students to critically examine claims about drugs and avoid accepting popular narratives simply because they were widely circulated.
The Director-General urged young people to understand that substance use could have consequences beyond immediate intoxication, potentially affecting their education, relationships, productivity and future opportunities.
He said the Commission would continue to intensify public education and prevention programmes, aimed at empowering young people with the knowledge and skills needed to resist drug abuse.
Major Gen. Mantey called on students to become ambassadors of drug-free lifestyles by sharing accurate information with their peers and communities.
He stressed that the fight against drug abuse could not be left solely to law enforcement agencies, adding that both parents, teachers, educational institutions, religious bodies, civil society organisations and the youth themselves had important roles to play.
He urged the youth to seek help and guidance when confronted with substance-use challenges rather than allowing misconceptions, peer pressure or misinformation to determine their choices.
The Director-General reaffirmed the Commission’s determination to work with stakeholders to build a generation that was better informed about the risks associated with drug abuse and empowered to make healthy and responsible decisions.
The National Youth Conference provided an important platform for direct engagement between NACOC and young people from across the country, allowing participants to discuss drug-related issues and challenge misconceptions surrounding narcotic substances.
The conference brought together young people from across Ghana, creating a national platform for dialogue on issues affecting their development and wellbeing, including the growing need for effective drug education and prevention.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo