Alarming reports of Tramadol abuse, particularly among the youth who take it for recreational purpose in parts of the country, as well as reported incidents of armed robbery, youth vandalism, car accidents and other vices have been linked to the influence of unregulated intake of Tramadol by perpetrators, in some period have become issues of great national concern.

Urgent reason for which iSPY GH 247 is calling for immediate intervention.
iSPY GH 247, a private investigation firm with the ultimate mission to uncover the truth wherever it may be, has embarked on unearthing the lapses within pharmacies in Ghana with respect to the sale of the regulated narcotic drug, Tramadol to the youth.

Read also Fire guts day-care centre, church in Kumasi

Guided by its core values of integrity and discretion aim to create an environment where one can best serve this nation, iSPY GH247 has unearthed the shocking practice of pharmacies inadvertently facilitating the abuse of Tramadol as they neglect their own rules and regulations.

“It is important we let people know that abusing medicines like Tramadol can have bad consequences, including death,” – Akwasi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the iSPY GH 247 says.
“So while we are doing our part to ensure that Tramadol is not abused, the media must also highlight the negative effects this can have on the individual and the society. Excess amounts, regular use or overuse can cause side effects, many of which can be dangerous and possibly affect the brain,” he adds.
The country’s drugs and food regulatory body is faced with the task of ending the abuse of unapproved dosage of the man-made narcotic painkiller- Tramadol- that is allegedly smuggled into the country.

Undercover Documentary

 iSPY GH 247, based in Accra is about to release a documentary addressing Tramadol abuse in Ghana.
The secret filming revealed a good number of pharmacy outlets selling Tramadol to the public and as well as many youths without taking into consideration the rules controlling the sale of dangerous drugs.
According to the firm, the documentary was filmed across four regions in the country from the ghettos to the pharmaceutical shops.
In the film saw people mixing Tramadol pills with juice, with the intention of getting ‘high’ before breakfast.

The documentary is focused on the abuse of Tramadol and is aimed at arresting peddlers of the illegal unapproved drug as well as cause authorities to sanction pharmacies who brazenly dispense Tramadol to the public in contradiction to the regulations restricting the sale of the drug.
The Ministry of Health has taken steps to curb the situation by restricting the purchase of Tramadol by prescription only.
iSPY GH247 is hoping that the documentary would draw parents and leaders attention to the menace of Tramadol abuse and how the current restriction of the drug is failing due to the negligence of those responsible for its controlled dispensation.

Tramadol Abuse Trend

 Tramadol abuse in Ghana became an issue of interest when frequent reports of people dying from its overdose became public. The abuse has been on the rise among the Ghanaian youth and this has been a major concern for the government.
 
In March this year, a junior high school student in Accra died after taking 10 tablets of Tramadol.
As a rapid response measure, the FDA strategically conducted a series of raids in three target regions (Northern, Volta and Western) to substantiate reported cases.
Alarming quantities of unregistered Tramadol strengths (e.g. 120mg, 225mg and 250mg) were uncovered.

Effects of Tramadol

 “Taking Tramadol with other drugs which are not prescribed by your doctor can lead to harmful effects and increase the chance of addiction. The combination of Tramadol with other substances, either alcohol or drugs can cause threatening or even fatal side effects,” Akwasi reveals.
He explains that the combination of alcohol and Tramadol act as a central nervous system depressant and slows down brain activity and function which can lead to confusion, loss of consciousness, brain damage, respiratory depression, liver disease, renal dysfunction, increase depression and suicidal tendencies and ultimately death.

“Headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling; constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; feeling nervous or anxious; or itching, sweating, and flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling). Noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing; A slow heart rate or weak pulse; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; seizure (convulsions); infertility, missed menstrual periods; Impotence, sexual problems, loss of interest in sex,” are just some of the effects of Tramadol.

Impacts on Society

 Akwasi further indicated that the effect of Tramadol is not only on the individual but also on society.
Examples of how the abuse of the prescription affects society include loss of revenue by the state in the form of tax to cater for people with drug addiction at the psychiatric hospitals and prisons.
Loss of labour force as the victim becomes inefficient at workplaces and results in less productivity.
Children are exploited in some neighbourhoods as they are forced to engage in the illegal trading of Tramadol. The children are recruited as lookouts and drug peddlers because it’s easier for them to elude the police and because juvenile offenders receive a lighter prison sentence when caught.
Not to forget an increase in social vices and other drug-related crime, including armed robbery, rape, abduction, murder as well as violence have been reported among individual users and gangs.

Regulatory Interventions

 iSPY GH 247 will collaborate with the police and the regulatory authorities particularly, Pharmacy Council, Ghana to ensure the restriction of Tramadol through the mitigation of illegal sales.
Majority of the suspected peddlers caught on camera, aged 14-28 are Ghanaians as well as citizens of other West African Countries, including Niger and Togo. These peddlers are to be arrested and arrange before the law courts.

Apart from the arrest, the investigative firm has in mind to intensify nationwide public education at schools, marketplaces, beaches and transport terminals, where the drug is gaining new grounds because of the perceived effect.

Source: thepublisheronline.com