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Tramadol abuse among youth reaches alarming height …FDA, Nat’l Security urged to act
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A Reverend Father and Clinical Psychologist at the Eastern Regional Hospital, Dr Isaac Acheampong Sarfo, has warned that the youth, representing Ghana future workforce, could be crippled if nothing is done about the growing abuse of Tramadol.
He said the abuse of the drug has assumed levels that requires an urgent need for collective action to curb it, cautioning that if it was left unchecked, it could cripple the country’s future workforce and derail national development.
What is more worrying now, he stated, was the fact that the drug Tramadol, originally prescribed as a painkiller, is being processed into cakes, drinks, and toffees, making it more accessible and discreet to consume.
In an interview with The Spectator, Rev. Dr Sarfo explained that the drug’s addictive potential was high, whether prescribed or not, because it caused the release of dopamine, a chemical linked to pleasure and calmness.
“It seems as though we’re asleep while the future of our nation is quietly being destroyed. If we don’t act now, these young people will be unable to shoulder future responsibilities, and the entire nation will suffer,” he lamented.
Tramadol has become a drug of choice for a section of the youth for its euphoric and mood-enhancing effects due to its interaction with opioid receptors in the brain.
He explained that over time, users build a tolerance and required higher doses, risking overdose and dependence, alerting that continuous use could overwhelm the nervous system, leading to life-threatening conditions.
Common signs among abusers includes mood swings, emotional instability, hallucinations, depression, and withdrawal from family and social circles.
Abusers also engaged in risky behaviours and suffer from cognitive issues like poor concentration, confusion, and slower reaction times.
“Tramadol abuse can also impact the development of adolescent brains, especially in areas tied to judgment, impulse control, and decision-making. It consequences include academic failure, poor memory, and social maladjustment,” he stated.
Dr Sarfo, who is also the Director of Counselling at the Koforidua Technical University, warned that the healthcare system could become overwhelmed, with rising cases of addiction and mental health challenges.
To tackle this crisis, Dr Sarfo called for a multi-sectoral approach and urged the government, particularly the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and National Security to intensify efforts to stem the import and distribution of the drug as well as sales points.
He also appealed to religious leaders to speak out against drug abuse with compassion, and for parents to be more attentive and involved in their children’s lives.
Furthermore, Dr Sarfo called for the establishment of active youth centres that can provide guidance and resources to tackle some of these societal problems.
He advised the youth to engage in important things that could guarantee them a brighter future and disengage from Tramadol abuse which offered no benefit but only led to misery and loss of purpose.
He urged those already affected to seek counselling and rehabilitation, urging all stakeholders work together to save the nation’s future.
By Ama Tekyiwaa
Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
A Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the National Cardiothoracic Centre of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, has cautioned against the various misconceptions associated with heart diseases in the country, insisting that overcoming these fallacies would go a long way in dealing with the condition.
Chief among these misconceptions, Dr Penelope Adinku, said was the belief that heart related diseases affected only people who have advanced in age.
But that claim, she said was erroneous, explaining that heart diseases are conditions that affect both the young and old.
Consequently, she urged the public not to disregard warning signs associated with heart diseases like chest discomfort or pain, unexplained shortness of breath, unusual tiredness, palpitations, dizziness or fainting, and swelling of the legs.
Speaking with The Spectator in an exclusive interview last week, Dr Adinku, Ghana’s first female cardiothoracic surgeon, said such symptoms, particularly when they are new, persistent or worsening, should not be ignored.
She stressed that although such symptoms did not always mean a person had heart disease, they should be taken seriously and assessed by a health professional when they persisted or became concerning.
This, she explained was the reason Ghanaians must undergo regular health checks to know their blood pressure and other risk factors, adopt healthy lifestyle practices and seek medical attention when they experienced concerning symptoms.
“Prevention and early detection are just as important as treatment,” Dr Adinku added.
She explained that conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol could occur without obvious symptoms while significantly increasing a person’s risk of developing heart disease.
The heart surgeon also identified limited access to specialised cardiac care as one of the major challenges facing heart care in the country.
According to her, some patients who require specialised cardiac care report late to health facilities or face financial and other barriers that delay their diagnosis and treatment.
She called for continued efforts to strengthen Ghana’s cardiac care system, from early diagnosis and referral to specialised equipment, sustainable financing and the availability of well-trained multidisciplinary heart teams.
“There is also a need to train and retain more specialised professionals so that our capacity to provide high-quality cardiac care can continue to grow,” she empasised.
Dr Adinku indicated that although Ghana had made significant progress in cardiac care, there was the need to build on the existing foundation by expanding access and strengthening the country’s capacity to provide specialised services.
She said improving cardiac care required a comprehensive approach that linked prevention and early detection with timely diagnosis, referral and specialised treatment.
She further emphasised the importance of investing in the training and retention of specialists, while ensuring that health facilities had the equipment and financial resources required to provide quality cardiac services.
Dr Adinku, who successfully completed her Fellowship training with the West African College of Surgeons and was adjudged the best candidate in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the 2022 Fellowship Examinations, expressed optimism about the future of cardiac care in Ghana.
She said the progress made so far provided a strong foundation for further development and that expanding access, strengthening capacity and making specialised cardiac care sustainable would enable more people who required advanced heart care to receive it in a timely manner.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The Bono Regional Drug Law Enforcement Unit has arrested a 66-year-old woman and her 29-year-old son after police allegedly found suspected Indian hemp, Tramadol and other restricted drugs in their rooms at Dormaa Ahenkro.
The suspects, Mary Awuni and Maxwell Akukah, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation at Kumi Daa Street, a suburb of the Dormaa Central Municipality.
According to the Bono Regional Police Command, a search conducted in their rooms led to the recovery of 147 yellow compressed slabs wrapped in sellotape and suspected to be Indian hemp.
Police also retrieved 270 boxes and 329 blisters of assorted Tramadol, 14 blisters of Rohypnol, GH¢87,751 and CFA 2,000.
The police explained that Mary Awuni was found with a metal trunk containing the 14 blisters of Rohypnol, GH¢72,612 and CFA 2,000.
She allegedly told investigators that the items and money had been given to her by a man in Accra to be delivered to another person in Côte d’Ivoire. However, she admitted ownership of the items found in her room.
Her son, Maxwell Akukah, was arrested in a separate room where the suspected Indian hemp, Tramadol and GH¢15,139 were found.
He allegedly claimed that the items belonged to his brother, Anthony, who was said to be outside Dormaa Ahenkro.
In a press release issued on September 4, the Bono Regional Police Command stated that the two suspects remain in custody and are assisting with investigations.
The police added that investigations were ongoing to identify and prosecute all persons found to be involved.
The Command assured the public of its commitment to combating narcotics-related offences and urged residents to provide credible information to help police protect communities and maintain public safety.
By: Jacob Aggrey
