A member of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, has called on the government to allocate adequate funding to tackle the growing opioid abuse crisis among the youth.
According to him, the issue is having a severe impact on the mental health of young people and requires urgent intervention.
Speaking during a debate on the 2025 budget in Parliament on Wednesday, March 19, the Abuakwa South legislator pointed out that the government’s strategies to address opioid abuse were not reflected in the budget. He, therefore, urged immediate action to ensure the necessary resources are allocated to combat the crisis effectively.
“Mr. Speaker, the new opioid substance is what we call red. Mr. Speaker, what do you know red? It is the new opioid substance that is being abused. However, this mental health issue that was boldly stated in the manifesto of the NDC did not find expression in the national budget.
“We are all at risk. You intend to create a lot of jobs for the youth. The very youth that you intend giving opportunities to are abusing substances that there is a need for a national budget to address”.
