One morning in June 2025, the students of Zamse Senior High Technical School were very excited. They gathered for assembly, talking and waiting for a special guest. The air felt electric. They were about to hear from Mr. Ngammegbulam Chidozie Stephen, a famous journalist from Apexnewsgh. Many knew his name from Facebook or had seen parts of his powerful documentaries. He came with an important message. He wanted to talk about a serious problem hurting Ghana’s young people: drug and alcohol abuse. His visit was timely. Following a report from the Narcotics Commission, had shocking news. Out of 50,000 Ghanaians struggling with drugs and alcohol, 35,000 were students. That meant most of those affected were in school, just like them. The country’s future was in danger. Mr. Ngamegbulam was no ordinary reporter. He made award-winning films. His latest documentary, “Swallowed by Drugs,” shared the sad stories of young people whose lives were ruined by addiction. Watch the full video here: When he walked onto the stage, the students clapped loudly. Some knew his face from social media. For others, this was their first time seeing him in person. They were ready to listen. He started speaking straight away, sharing a hard truth. “Many of our youth have used alcohol and drugs to ruin their own futures,” he said. “Some dreamed of being doctors. Others wanted to be nurses. But now, some are sitting at home, lost. Others are in mental hospitals. Their dreams are broken.” He stopped for a moment. The students were reticent, thinking about his words. He then asked them a big question. “Do you know that every year, more than 3 million people around the world die from alcohol and drugs? That number is bigger than most cities in Ghana. Every single one of those people was someone’s child, someone’s friend, or someone’s classmate.” The award-winning journalist looked at all the young faces before him. “This problem often starts right here, in school,” he explained. “You might have friends who think drinking or taking drugs is fun. They might be looking for excitement. But real joy doesn’t come from being drunk or high.” He discussed peer pressure, when friends encourage you to do something. “You might try something because a friend says it’s cool. But that one choice can change your whole life forever.” Then, he asked a direct question: “Who here knows about tramadol?” Almost every hand went up. He explained that tramadol is a strong medicine for pain, not for young people. Yet, some students hide it in their drinks, thinking it will make them strong or brave. He mentioned seeing scary videos online of young people standing stiff, not able to fall. “That is not strength,” he said softly. “That is the drug controlling them. The person inside is gone.” He listed other dangerous things: marijuana, shisha, and other drugs. “If you walk around town, you will see young people whose lives have been taken over by drugs and alcohol. But for you, it is not too late. You can choose a different path.” Mr. Ngamegbulam also corrected lies about drugs. “Some say drugs make you smarter or stronger. That is a falsehood. Drugs do not give you power. They destroy you,” he stated firmly. He told stories of students with big dreams who lost everything to addiction. “Your future matters to your family, to your country, and most importantly, to you,” he reminded them. He made it clear he was not there to criticize them. “I may not know your names,” he said kindly, “but I care about what happens to you. If you grow up to be a better person, your family is happy, your school is proud, and Ghana succeeds.” He encouraged them to support each other. “If you see a friend using drugs or alcohol, talk to them. Give them good advice. You can only truly succeed if you help each other succeed.” To give them hope, he pointed to Ghana’s successful leaders. “Do you know why some people become parliamentarians or ministers? It is because they focused on their dreams. They stayed away from drugs and alcohol. If you do the same, nothing can stop you from becoming great.” Finally, he gave them a task. “Take this message to your classrooms and homes. Tell your friends and family: ‘The future president of Ghana could be one of us. Don’t let alcohol or drugs steal that future.’” When he finished, the students’ excitement was clear. They had listened to a powerful, heartfelt talk full of important advice. The message was simple and clear: their future was precious, and it was worth protecting. Meanwhile, the documentary “Swallowed by Drugs” was supported by Endswell Pharmacy Limited Source: Apexnewsgh.com
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