Journalist Calls for Routine Drug Testing in Schools to Curb Student Indiscipline
In a compelling opinion shared with the public, Mr. Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen, Editor-in-Chief of Apexnewsgh, is sounding the alarm on the growing crisis of drug and alcohol abuse among students in Ghana’s educational institutions. According to Mr. Ngamegbulam, this troubling trend is not only fueling riots and widespread property damage but is also undermining discipline in junior high, senior high, and tertiary schools across the country. Citing a 2025 study that revealed over 60% of senior high school students in certain regions have used drugs or alcohol, often starting between the ages of 16 and 18, Mr. Ngamegbulam is urging the government to take action. His proposal: mandatory drug and alcohol testing for all students seeking admission into junior high, senior high, and tertiary institutions in partnership with the Ghana Education Service (GES). He believes this testing should be a regular, periodic exercise, not just a one-time event, to ensure sustained accountability and to act as a deterrent against substance abuse. Mr. Ngamegbulam references the recent turmoil at Bolgatanga Technical Institute (BOTECH), which faced repeated closures due to student riots and planned attacks, as a stark warning of the consequences of unchecked substance abuse in schools. “If students know they will be tested regularly, it will serve as a deterrent,” he argues. Furthermore, he suggests that any student who tests positive for drugs or alcohol three consecutive times should face suspension, a policy he believes would restore discipline. He advocates for this approach to be implemented collaboratively by the GES and the Narcotic Control Commission, ensuring a robust and effective drug and alcohol testing regime nationwide. The ultimate aim, in Mr. Ngamegbulam’s view, is to prevent students from becoming liabilities to themselves and their communities, and instead foster environments where learning and personal growth can flourish. For Mr. Ngamegbulam, the message is clear: unless bold and coordinated action is taken against drug and alcohol abuse, Ghana’s schools face further disruption and the risk of losing a generation’s potential. Regular drug and alcohol testing, along with strict disciplinary measures, could be the solution to restoring order and safeguarding the future of Ghana’s youth. This, he insists, is a conversation the nation can no longer afford to postpone. Source: Apexnewsgh.com