The Dormaa Central Municipal Director of Health Services, Mr. Daniel Konka, has raised alarm about the rising incidence of drug abuse among young people, cautioning that the problem threatens the nation’s future.
He identified peer pressure, insufficient parental care, and weak oversight by parents as key drivers of substance abuse among the youth. Mr. Konka urged parents to strengthen their supervision and guidance, especially when children start showing signs that could lead them toward drug use.
He also noted that certain demanding jobs requiring high energy levels drive some young people to hard drugs. In addition, he pointed to the absence of strong local laws and by-laws at the community level as another major contributing factor.
Mr. Konka therefore called on local assemblies to work with traditional leaders to create and enforce suitable by-laws that would penalize those who abuse or illegally use drugs, arguing that such measures could deter others. He warned that long-term, heavy drug use can cause severe lasting health damage as well as related social problems.
The health director further highlighted the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, especially hypertension and diabetes, as another serious worry for the Health Directorate. He described hypertension as a silent killer, observing that many people live with it unaware until serious complications arise.
He therefore advised the public to visit health facilities regularly for check-ups, stressing that early detection enables effective management and treatment. He added that those who test negative can use the opportunity to adopt healthier habits and avoid behaviours that raise their risk of developing hypertension or diabetes.
