DRUG ABUSE/MENTAL HEALTH SYMPOSIUM HELD FOR JUVENILES OF SCC

As part of the regional commemoration of the Gender Week Celebration by the Ghana Prisons Service, the Senior Correctional Centre (SCC), in conjunction with the Ghana Health Service organised a symposium on drug abuse for juveniles at SCC.

The symposium, themed on drug abuse and its consequences on health, educated the juveniles on the need for refraining from the use of substances when released from incarceration.

Engaging the juveniles at the Borstal Hall the Borstal Boys were schooled on avoiding substances including alcohol, tramadol, red, blue blue, cannabis, weed among others.

Dr. Adwoa Kusi-Kyere, a Psychiatrist with the Ghana Health Service, who facilitated the symposium indicated that, it was very critical to engage the juveniles on the effects of drug abuse.

Adding that, it is important to constantly create awareness on the impact of drug abuse and the toll it places on an individual’s health and posing as a risk on mental health.

According to her, examples of substances mentioned earlier have effects on the human brain which results in changing the structure of the brain by making one think in an abnormal way.

She noted that substance abuse creates numerous problems including financial, legal, education and health which affects an individual in the long-term.

On her part, one could put a stop to substance abuse irrespective of the stage; whether at a starting , experimenting, or addictive stage, there is hope and help to counsel an individual to refrain from drugs.

She admonished that, substance abuse destroys lives and the most dangerous aspect of it is that, when it starts destroying an individual, it doesn’t pose an immediate signal until an impact is felt.

“If you have ever used substances for pleasurable benefits, your brain would never forget the euphoric feelings derived from it, so avoidance is the best option to fight drug abuse.” Dr. Kusi-Kyere cautioned.

Encouraging inmates to refrain from substance abuse when discharged, the Deputy Director of Prisons, Mrs.Yayra Ashong-Mettle, the Officer-In-Charge (OIC) at the Senior Correctional Centre outlined some strategies to consider while serving their jail term.

She mentioned that rehabilitation programs available at the Senior Correctional Centre serve as a powerful remodel tool to straighten their paths to become responsible citizens devoid of substance abuse.

The OIC passionately called on the Borstal Boys to always avail themselves for counseling sessions in order to address any underlying issue bothering their minds.

Also, she underpinned that, cognitive-behavioural therapy available at the station helps juveniles to identify and change negative thought patterns that would benefit them in the long-term.

DDP. Ashong-Mettle noted that, by providing a supportive environment and evidence-based programs, inmates who were once addicted to substance abuse could overcome addiction and develop a positive path towards rehabilitation and reintegration.

She admonished other stations to consider counseling and organising symposiums to highlight the effects of substance abuse to inmates and officers to ensure a good mental well-being.