Ghanaian dancehall musician Shatta Wale has identified peer pressure as a major factor that can expose young people to drug abuse, urging them to be cautious about the friends they allow into their lives.
The musician warned that some friendships can gradually draw individuals into substance use, with friends sometimes presenting drugs as part of socialising before encouraging them to try more dangerous substances.
He shared his concerns during a TikTok Live session, where he reflected on his childhood and the strict rules his father imposed on his movements. According to him, those restrictions may have helped protect him from certain influences while growing up.
“Growing up, my father never allowed me to go out. In the system we are in now, we can’t really control the people we keep around as friends. Drug addiction starts with friends,” he remarked.
Shatta Wale explained that the process of introducing someone to drugs can begin with seemingly casual invitations, particularly during outings with friends who have the financial means to encourage such habits.
He illustrated how a person could initially be persuaded to smoke before eating, only for the same friend to later suggest combining it with cocaine when the individual becomes accustomed to the initial substance.
“You have a friend who has some money, and when you go out to eat with him, he will tell you that you have to smoke before you eat. As you keep smoking, he will say that since you are getting used to it and it is no longer making you high like before, you should add cocaine to it,” he explained.
The musician advised young people not to maintain relationships with individuals who constantly expose them to harmful activities. He also disclosed that some people he once considered friends have struggled with the consequences of drug use.
“When you have that kind of friend, desist from them. That is what I have been able to control myself with. I know a lot of my friends who have gone astray just because of drugs,” he observed.
Aside from the dangers of substance abuse, Shatta Wale urged the youth to take charge of their decisions and avoid allowing their social environment to dictate their future.
He cautioned that people who fail to establish clear personal boundaries could eventually find themselves engaging in activities that go against their beliefs and principles.
“I want people to pay attention to what I am saying. It is friends who can lead you into drugs, and if you don’t take care and position yourself well in this economy, you will end up doing things your spirit wouldn’t like,” he emphasised.
Shatta Wale further disclosed that he has become intentional about the people he associates with, limiting access to his inner circle to prevent unwanted influences from affecting his life.
He believes having personal ambitions gives individuals a sense of direction and makes it less likely for them to abandon their priorities in an attempt to fit into their friends’ lifestyles.
“I have been able to control certain things around me because I don’t allow just anybody to come close to me. I have dreams, so unless you don’t have a dream of your own, you will start following friends and feel that is your dream,” he pointed out.
The award-winning musician concluded that young people who remain committed to their aspirations are better positioned to resist pressure from friends and make decisions that reflect their own convictions.
“If you have a dream for yourself, you will be focused to the extent that nobody will get you to try anything you don’t want to try,” he stressed.
My respect for Shatta Wale has increased 1,000 times Yesterday, he joined Antwiwaa’s livestream while we were having an important conversation about drug abuse and its devastating effects on the youth What touched me most was that he didn’t just join for entertainment; he took time to personally advise and educate us on the dangers of drug abuse, sharing real-life examples of friends whose lives went astray because of substance abuse This is the new era of Shatta Movement! We want more than music, entertainment and fan wars. We want to educate ourselves, build businesses, make better life choices and create a generation that will live long, prosper and achieve greatness The movement must be about life, growth and positive impact. Help me say; GOD BLESS SHATTAWALE
— Maqcoy Reports (@maqcoyreports) November 11, 2026
