Accra, June 26, 2025 — Hon. Godwin Animli Dorgbadzi Dorani, Member of Parliament for the Adansi Asokwa constituency in the Ashanti region, has sounded the alarm over the growing abuse of opioids in Ghana, warning Parliament that the country is on the brink of a “silent epidemic” that threatens its future.
Delivering a statement to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed globally on June 26, the MP cited alarming statistics from the World Drug Report 2024, which shows a 10% surge in opioid abuse in Ghana. He noted that while cannabis and cocaine remain the most commonly abused substances, opioids now rank third, with an African prevalence rate of 1.26%.
This year’s global slogan, “Breaking the Chains: Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery for All!”, reflects the urgent need for coordinated action—a call Hon. Dorgbadzi passionately echoed on the floor of Parliament.
“Our human resource is under siege,” he declared. “The phenomenon of drug abuse, now more than ever, poses enormous danger to the youth and our national development.”
The MP referenced a documentary aired on May 28, 2025, titled “Hooked on Red”, which exposed the widespread misuse of a pain medication known on the streets as “Red 225.” Originally manufactured for legitimate medical use, the drug has become synonymous with abuse, especially among the youth, leading to a new street term: “Wonim red?”—a chilling indication of its normalization.
Hon. Dorgbadzi stressed that this abuse is visible in street corners and ghettos across the country, and if left unchecked, could bring Ghana’s developmental hopes “to a standstill.”
He called on Parliament and the broader Ghanaian society—including media practitioners, religious and traditional leaders—to support the “Red Means Stop” campaign being spearheaded by the Ministry for Youth Development and Empowerment. The campaign seeks to raise awareness and provide recovery pathways for affected youth.
“Let us reassure our youth of better days ahead,” he urged, “and let us act now—before this silent epidemic claims the future we are working so hard to build.”
The statement received attention from Members across the House, with calls for enhanced national drug education, stronger regulation of pharmaceutical sales, and increased support for addiction treatment programs.
Speaking to www.parliamentnews360.com in an interview after his statement, the Adansi Asokwa MP, urged parents to be vigilant and more involved in raising their children to ensure that their children are sound psychologically, emotionally, and physically.
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
