Drug Abuse: Nearly Half of Youth Surveyed in La Nkwantanang-Madina Have Used Substances – UPSA, NACOC Study Finds

A new baseline study by the Research and Consultancy Centre (RCC) of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), in partnership with the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), has uncovered worrying levels of substance use among young people in the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality, prompting renewed calls for targeted interventions to stem the growing public health challenge.

The study, unveiled during Ghana’s observance of the 2026 World Drug Day, found that 45.1 percent of 1,039 respondents aged between 15 and 35 years had used drugs or other psychoactive substances for non-medical or recreational purposes at least once in their lifetime.

The research, which covered Madina, Teiman, West Adenta, Pantang and Oyarifa, identified Madina as the municipality’s most affected community, recording a lifetime prevalence rate of 73.5 percent. Pantang posted the lowest rate at 30.5 percent.

The findings were presented as part of activities marking World Drug Day under the theme, “World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.” The event attracted senior government officials, anti-drug campaigners, academics, development partners and community leaders committed to tackling substance abuse among young people.

According to the report, alcohol remains the most commonly abused substance, with 40.8 percent of respondents admitting to its use. Other substances identified include cannabis, tobacco, prescription medicines, tramadol, codeine-based products, shisha, inhalants and energy drinks mixed with other substances.

Researchers found that despite widespread awareness of the dangers associated with drug abuse, the knowledge has not translated into behavioural change.

While 94.9 percent of respondents said they were aware of substance abuse and 77 percent had received some form of education on the issue, only 6.6 percent indicated they had been reached through NACOC’s sensitisation campaigns. Schools were identified as the primary source of anti-drug education, followed by radio, television and social media.

The study further revealed that peer influence remains the strongest factor driving substance use, with 42.9 percent of users saying they were introduced to drugs by friends. Other contributing factors include unemployment, stress, curiosity, family instability, easy access to substances and the influence of social media.

Researchers also expressed concern over the average age of first drug use, estimated at 18.7 years, saying the figure underscores the need to introduce preventive education much earlier, particularly among adolescents.

The report highlighted another disturbing trend—relapse among recovering users. It found that 84.5 percent of respondents who had attempted to quit substance use eventually returned to it, mainly because of cravings, stress, peer pressure, family-related challenges and the absence of structured support systems.

Despite the presence of Pantang Hospital within the municipality, the researchers noted that only a small proportion of affected young people sought professional treatment or rehabilitation services, pointing to significant gaps in access to counselling, referrals and community-based recovery programmes.

In response to the findings, the study recommended that Madina be declared a priority intervention area for intensified anti-drug campaigns. It also called for expanded public education using community platforms, radio, television and digital media, alongside practical life-skills training, peer-resistance education and targeted behavioural change initiatives.

The researchers further proposed strengthening referral systems to treatment facilities, establishing community support groups, engaging religious and traditional leaders, partnering pharmacies to curb prescription drug abuse, and conducting regular municipal surveys every two to three years to monitor trends and assess the impact of interventions.

The report concluded that substance abuse among young people should be treated not merely as a drug awareness issue but as a multidimensional challenge affecting public health, education, employment, family welfare and community safety.

It noted that the collaboration between UPSA-RCC and NACOC provides policymakers with credible evidence to shape prevention strategies, improve treatment and rehabilitation services, and strengthen Ghana’s response to substance abuse among the youth.