A young man believed to be in his mid-20s has died after allegedly consuming 10 tablets of tramadol at once during a contest among friends at Babile.
The deceased, known as Kukura, a native of Tugo in the Jirapa Municipality, but lives in Babile in the Lawra Municipality, reportedly swallowed the tablets in an attempt to outdo a friend who had reportedly taken six tablets of the opioid at once.
An opinion leader in Babile, Alex Yirikye, confirmed the incident to the Ghana News Agency after reports of the tragedy circulated on social media earlier this week.
According to accounts from the community, Kukura reportedly became weak shortly after taking the tablets and was rushed to the Babile Polyclinic for emergency treatment.
Due to the severity of his condition, he was later referred to the Upper West Regional Hospital in Wa and subsequently transferred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital for further medical care.
However, he died despite efforts by health professionals to save his life.
The incident has sparked concern among the people and stakeholders in Babile over the growing abuse of tramadol and other substances among the youth in Babile, the Upper West Region, and across the country.
Tramadol is an opioid medicine prescribed for moderate to severe pain, but excessive intake could suppress the respiratory system and affect the brain and other vital organs.
Its abuse has become increasingly common among some young people, who consume the drug for excitement, physical endurance, and social prestige.
The Upper West Region has, in recent years, witnessed increasing concerns over the abuse of tramadol,codeine-based syrups, marijuana, shisha, alcohol, and other substances among the youth.
As part of efforts to address the menace, stakeholders in the region had strengthened anti-drug operations,including the establishment of a regional task force to lead the fight against the menace.
The task force had conducted operations in communities, transport stations, ghettos, and suspected drug distribution points, leading to the seizure of quantities of tramadol and other illicit substances.
Speaking in an interview with the GNA, Mr Kelvin Sunkpal Dafaari, the spokesperson for the task force,expressed worry about the incident.
He said the task force had engaged licensed pharmacies in the region to ensure they sold tramadol and other prescription-only drugs based on a medical doctor’s prescription to help reduce access and abuse of such drugs.
Mr Dafaari appealed to the public to volunteer information on the illegal sale of tramadol and other substances of abuse to the task force for the necessary action.
He gave assurance that the identities of people who provide such information would be protected.
He said: “We have to be each other’s keeper. People know those selling these drugs in their communities,but don’t report them.
You may think your child is safe today, but tomorrow he or she may follow friends and get into it, and the same person you refused to report will sell the drugs to your child.”
Source: GNA
