Drug abuse is simply the abnormal use of drugs for the pleasure of the brain or other psychological or emotional satisfaction rather than the main use of the drugs. Ghana, which is youth-dominated
has been battling drug abuse for some time now.
Developing communities are noted for their youthful exuberance. Youth in these societies focus on several aspects of social life for survival. Most youths in the slums and the streets abnormally use drugs, such as alcohol, marijuana, codeine, tramadol, cocaine, etc. I took time to scope the streets and ghettos in Accra, I found out that most of these children are between the age of 10-25 years.
They started doing drugs due to poverty, lack of parental control and guidance, peer
pressure, social influence, emotional and psychological trauma. These youths confided in me by telling me activities they engaged in to afford these drugs due too
the high level of addiction. They all have big dreams and beautiful talents, especially in sports.
I have always had a passion to develop skating into a competitive sport to promote positive youth development in my country. However, this passion was made certain after I witnessed a guy being
beaten on the street after using a skate to pickpocket someone. I saved him that day from the crowd at Kwame Nkrumah Circle. I introduced him and his friends to skating as an alternative to drugs. I took them on corporate brand activation events where they use their skills in skating to advertise brands on the street. They started earning an average income, and the love for skating grew every day due to the love, support, and guidance.
I believe sport has the power to cause a positive change in our youth. It can be an alternative way to reduce drug abuse. These youth can be well educated through sports since they can easily learn from what they love doing. Sport in its cross-cutting nature can improve their physical fitness, mental wellbeing and social stability. We can teach these youths various life skills such as respect,
teamwork, discipline, respect for rule of law among others through sport. They can make a livelihood through sports if we can assure them of the needed support.
The youths are the future of every nation, if we save one of them from drug abuse, he or she can influence the rest. These act will go a long way to creating a safe society. I am ready to train and develop
many of these youths in skating and roll ball. I believe we can all join hands in our best capacity to curb this menace for a better Ghana.
Credit: Drug Free Africa
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