The mayor of Tema Metropolitan Assembly, Hon. Felix Mensah Nii Anang-La has vowed to ban tramadol in the metropolis. The Mayor made the statement at the Town-hall meeting.

According to the him, the youths of today have graduated from alcohol and wee to tramadol. It is a worrying situation to see a youth drunk yet have no scent or any sign of alcohol because they are on tramadol. The menace of tramadol and other related drugs peddling is getting out of hand which calls for quick action.

“This is not what we want for our children, they are our future leaders when we are no more and we can’t afford to lose them to drug abuse. The public is advised to report anyone suspected to be dealing in the drug. Anyone addicted is advised to seek help”, the Mayor lamented

Concerns have been raised about the abuse of the drug by the youth recently. Tramadol, popularly known as “tramol” is a pain relief medicine. A significant number of the youth has, however, ignorantly or disregarding the long term effects, resorted to overdosing it to achieve euphoria, mellowness, sense of wellbeing, for prolonged ejaculation, to overcome shyness and anxiety.

For many young people, drugs have become like fun games. Workers, farmers, students, sportsmen and others consume it to face the so-called trials of life. Consumers networks are formed in different corners, trafficking between sellers and users with coded names in the narcotics world. The messages are coded like, “regular-red”, “Un-parked”, “under”, “down”, “smoked-glass”, “special tea”, “wisdom arena”, “Tramol” are some of the terms used by dealers and consumers

The mayor advised the youth to stay away from the drug as it can destroy their lives. He further called on Parents and guardians to have eyes on their wards, educate and regulate them so they would not get involved in the use of seemingly harmless yet very harmful drugs.

Tramadol addiction can have severe effects on the user’s social, occupational, and mental health. Respiratory failure, Serotonin syndrome, Mild cardiovascular disruption, Neurological toxicity are a few of the health hazards related to the abuse of “tramol”.

Even though some patients are genuinely receiving treatment with prescribed Tramadol, it is advisable to speak with the physician on the dangers and possible side effects before taking it.

Some sellers of burkina, pito, sobolo, asana, lamogy, koko and even food venders use these narcotics to boost the appetite of their customers.

The mayor also promised that, his outfit together with the Ghana Police service will soon open talks with the pharmacy association to resolve the problem and if need be ban the sale of tramadol in the metropolis totally.

By Frankquophy A. Hanyabui & Bryan Bedu (Tma media)