A baseline study conducted by the Research and Consultancy Centre (RCC) of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), has revealed alarming levels of substance abuse among young people in the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality, with nearly one in every two respondents admitting to using substances for non-medical or recreational purposes.
The findings were presented during Ghana’s commemoration of the 2026 World Drug Day under the global theme, “World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.” The event brought together senior government officials, development partners, academics and anti-drug campaigners to discuss practical measures to address the growing threat of substance abuse among the youth.
According to the study, 45.1 percent of the 1,039 young people surveyed across Madina, Teiman, West Adenta, Pantang and Oyarifa reported having used substances at some point in their lives.
Madina recorded the highest lifetime prevalence rate at 73.5 percent, making it the municipality’s major hotspot for substance use, while Pantang registered the lowest prevalence at 30.5 percent.
Alcohol emerged as the most widely consumed substance, followed by prescription medicines, cannabis, tobacco, shisha, tramadol, codeine-based products, inhalants and energy drinks mixed with other substances.
Researchers found that although awareness of substance abuse was high—with 94.9 percent of respondents indicating they had heard about the dangers and 77 percent having received some form of sensitisation—this had not translated into reduced drug use. Only 6.6 percent of those sensitised had been reached through NACOC campaigns, suggesting limited outreach by the Commission.
The study identified peer influence as the leading driver of substance abuse, with 42.9 percent of users saying they were introduced to drugs by friends. Other contributing factors included unemployment, stress, curiosity, weak family support, easy access to substances and social media influence.
Researchers also expressed concern over the average age of first substance use, estimated at 18.7 years, stressing the need for early preventive education targeting both in-school and out-of-school youth.
Another major finding was the high relapse rate among users attempting to quit. The study revealed that 84.5 percent of respondents who tried to stop using substances eventually returned to drug use, largely because of cravings, stress, peer pressure, family challenges and inadequate support systems.
Despite the presence of Pantang Hospital, one of Ghana’s leading mental health facilities, very few young people were found to be accessing formal rehabilitation and counselling services, highlighting significant gaps in referral systems and community-based recovery support.
To address the situation, the researchers recommended that Madina be designated as a priority intervention zone for intensive anti-drug programmes. They also called for expanded public education through radio, television, social media and community outreach, alongside practical life-skills training, peer-refusal education and structured behavioural change programmes.
Additional recommendations include strengthening referral pathways to treatment centres, establishing community support groups, engaging religious and traditional leaders, partnering pharmacies to curb prescription drug misuse, intensifying enforcement with the Food and Drugs Authority, and conducting municipal substance use surveys every two to three years to monitor progress.
The researchers noted that youth substance abuse should no longer be viewed solely as an awareness issue but as a broader public health, education, employment and community safety challenge requiring sustained, evidence-based interventions.
They said the collaboration between UPSA-RCC and NACOC provides a critical evidence base to guide policy, strengthen prevention programmes, improve rehabilitation services and protect young people from the growing threat of substance abuse in the municipality and across Ghana.