Alarming! Trainee Teachers, Senior High & Tertiary Students Exposed to Drugs

A troubling new survey has revealed the extent of drug exposure within Ghana’s education system, with one in three Senior High School students reportedly introduced to substance use.

The findings, published by the Ministry for Youth Development, show that 41% of tertiary students and 37% of Senior High School (SHS) students are exposed to drug use or the drug trade. The figures have raised concerns about a potential public health challenge affecting young people nationwide.

Even more alarming is the situation in Colleges of Education, where exposure levels stand at 54% — the highest recorded among the institutions surveyed. The data suggests significant awareness and interaction with drug-related activities among students training to become teachers.

The Sector Minister for Youth Development, George Opare-Addo, described the statistics as “alarmingly high” when he presented the results during the “Show Your Love” campaign on Friday, February 13, 2026. The campaign is led by the Mental Health Authority under the Ministry of Health.

According to the minister, the survey — conducted late last year — shocked government officials.

“Our findings scared all of us. Forty-one percent of our tertiary students and 37% of our Senior High School students report exposure to drug use,” he said.

He warned that if the trend continues unchecked, it could undermine academic standards and pose serious risks to the wellbeing of young people across the country.

Policy Shift and Intervention Plan

In response, the ministry has announced a shift in approach, moving beyond strictly punitive responses toward a broader support system focused on prevention, early detection and rehabilitation.

The new strategy will integrate mental health education into youth-focused programmes, particularly in employment and entrepreneurship initiatives. Key elements of the intervention roadmap include:

• Mental Health Literacy Integration: Embedding mental health awareness into National Service Scheme (NSS) placements and entrepreneurship training modules.
• Stronger Referral Systems: Linking community youth centres more closely with clinical mental health facilities to ensure early support for at-risk students.
• Institutional Collaboration: Establishing a formal partnership between the Mental Health Authority and the Ministry for Youth Development to monitor, prevent and treat substance abuse more effectively.

Mr Opare-Addo said the ministry intends to work closely with stakeholders to ensure mental health literacy becomes a core part of youth development programmes while strengthening support systems within service placements and youth centres.

The high exposure rate in Colleges of Education remains a particular concern, given that these students represent the next generation of teachers. Authorities fear that widespread exposure within the teaching pipeline could have long-term implications for basic education if not urgently addressed.

The “Show Your Love” campaign is also calling on parents and guardians to confront the issue without stigma, offering emotional support and guidance to help affected students recover and reintegrate successfully.