The Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has identified curiosity, stress relief, and peer pressure as major causes of drug use in schools, describing the trend as one that demands urgent national attention.
Delivering the maiden State of the Youth Address in Accra, the Minister said the government’s recent study provides worrying insight into what drives young people toward substance use, even at an early age.
According to him, “The major drivers of drug use in schools are curiosity and experimentation, stress relief, peer influence, social pressure, feel good factor and enjoyment, academic pressure, social anxiety, emotional loneliness, depression, identity struggles, the desire to feel included and confidence.”
He said these findings point to the need for holistic interventions that do not just punish students but address the emotional and psychological roots of drug use.
The Minister noted that the data underscores the pressures many young people face, from academic stress to the need for social acceptance, which often push them toward risky coping mechanisms.
He added that combating the problem will require collaborative efforts involving parents, educators, health professionals, and youth organizations to promote resilience and emotional wellbeing among students.
