By Philip Tengzu, GNA

Babile, (UW/R), May 21, GNA – A young man in his mid-20s has died after allegedly swallowing ten tablets of tramadol at a go in a competition among friends in Babile.

The deceased, known as Kukura, a native of Tugo in the Jirapa Municipality, but lives in Babile in the Lawra Municipality, reportedly took a high quantity of tramadol to surpass a friend who had allegedly swallowed six tablets at a go.

Mr Alex Yirikye, an opinion leader in Babile, confirmed the incident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Babile after reports of the incident surfaced on social media early this week.

According to the reports, Kukura became weak almost immediately after taking the tablets and was rushed to the Babile Polyclinic for treatment.

He was later referred to the Upper West Regional Hospital in Wa and subsequently transferred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital in Tamale for further medical attention but died despite efforts by health personnel 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.”

GNA