59% of tertiary students abuse weed edibles, 12% cocaine, 11% heroin – Youth Minister George Opare Addo discloses

Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has raised alarm over the high levels of drug abuse among Ghana’s tertiary students.

Speaking at the JoyNews dialogue on Thursday, August 28, 2025, themed “Breaking the Chains: Ghana’s Opioid Crisis”, Mr. Opare Addo disclosed shocking statistics on substance use in universities and colleges.

“Codeine and cough syrups stand at 28%. And then you will be amazed to know that 12% of our university and tertiary students are abusing cocaine and 11% heroin,” he revealed.

According to him, weed edibles remain the most widely abused, with 59% of respondents admitting consumption. Shisha and hookah use, often mixed with other substances, stands at 49%, while 41% of students misuse prescription drugs.

Mr. Opare Addo expressed concern about students increasingly experimenting with expensive narcotics.

“I know cocaine is expensive, I know heroin is expensive, and we even drilled down to the various institutions,” he said.

The Minister noted that abuse patterns vary across institutions. While nursing and health colleges show lower levels of abuse due to strict rules and curfews, universities remain the worst-hit, with drugs often sold openly during hall week celebrations and festive occasions.