A worsening drug menace in the Upper West Region, particularly within the Wa Municipality has triggered intense public concern as local youth plead for government and community intervention to help them break free from addiction.
The crisis has escalated despite high-level interventions. Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, the Overlord of the Waala Traditional Area, and the Upper West Regional Minister have recently established separate task forces to combat the problem.
However, joint operations involving these task forces and state law enforcement agencies have so far yielded little success, leaving the community vulnerable to the growing crisis.
In a bid to understand the resilience of this illicit trade, Kangyiri FM conducted a series of street interviews with active substance users in Wa.
The engagements revealed a harrowing cycle of frustration, unemployment, and deep regret.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, several addicts confessed that they are desperate to quit but feel trapped by physical dependence and a lack of institutional support.
“I resort to drugs because I am jobless. “I deeply regret going into substance abuse. We need help. We are pleading for rehabilitation support to get our lives back,” one addict disclosed to KangyiriRadio FM.
The same individual issued a stark warning to the public, urging the youth to resist the temptation of peer pressure and illicit substances. “Stay away from any form of drugs. It only destroys you,” he advised.
As the drug menace continues to threaten the socio-economic fabric of the Wa municipality, local stakeholders are calling for a shift in strategy, moving from purely punitive law enforcement to the urgent establishment of accessible rehabilitation and mental health facilities in the region.
Abdul Aziz Ibrahim Pelpuo
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