Regulatory Officer at the Food and Drugs Authority’s (FDA) Tobacco and Substances of Abuse Directorate, Basira Fuseini has called for stronger, united efforts to tackle the growing menace of drug abuse in Ghana.
Speaking at the Stop Drug Abuse – Embrace Life outreach programme, Chemu Senior High School edition, organized in partnership with the Tema Community 25 Lions Club, Ms. Fuseini said the FDA has rolled out nationwide initiatives to educate Ghanaians, especially the youth, on the dangers of drug abuse.
“This entire initiative, which has us collaborating with the Lions Club, is within our mandate. We like such platforms that are provided to us so that we can reach the youth,” she noted.
While commending the support from civil society, she stressed the need for more platforms to expand outreach. According to her, the evolving nature of substance abuse requires dynamic strategies and broader collaboration.
“Every now and then, we have new substances emerging. We were dealing with Tramadol, now the current issue we have is RED. If we have more societies and institutions like the Lions Club coming on board, together we can go further than the FDA’s reach,” she explained.
The Youth Drug Abuse Sensitization Program, themed “Empowering the Youth to Say No to Drugs,” is part of a strategic campaign by the Tema Community 25 Lions Club in partnership with the FDA. From late July into August, the programme has engaged students from Kpone Senior High School and Chemu Senior High School, aiming to create a lasting positive impact on young lives.
