The Volta Regional Director of Health, Joseph Nortey says the region has begun a massive campaign to reduce the use of marijuana in the area.

This follows a report by the Narcotics Control Board that ranked the region as the leader in use and cultivation of the substance.

Speaking in an interview on TV3, Mr Nortey says his outfit is taking its drive to educational institutions and churches.

“Over the years we have been doing a lot of education and we will continue to do it. We have our personnel going round to schools and churches to educate them. We just pray that more organized groups will come on board and help us as well as the local authorities and I think in doing this a lot more people will know about the hazards of using marijuana and through this they will stay away from it”.

He adds that the regional health directorate is particularly worried about the risk this practice poses to the youth.

“It is a worrying situation and we as health workers in the Volta region are much worried about this issue.

“We know marijuana belongs to the type of drug that people can easily get addicted to and when people go on marijuana it affects their behavior so anything that affect ones behavior it means that it has an influence on ones mental ability and is worrying.

“So knowing the fact that young women and men will be exposed to this then is a worrying situation because they will get addicted which is the most dangerous part because it will be difficult to them off it”.

By Anita Mirekua Ampomah | 3FM | 3news.com