The Head of Substance Abuse and Tobacco at the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Olivia Boateng says pupils in Primary and Junior High Schools have revealed why they use tramadol.
The revelations were made during a survey conducted among the pupils on substances they abuse most as children.
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Madam Boateng’s outfit was forced into conducting the survey following recent reports of abuse of the drug and with the intention to ascertain the enormity of the issue and device means to curb it.
According to her, children who are between the ages of 10 and 14 said they took the drugs to enhance their energy levels and, especially, for sexual activities.
Madam Boateng was speaking on Adom FM’s political talk show, “Burning Issues” last Monday.
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She also outlined the negative effects of excessive intake of the pain-killing drug, saying it has the capacity to reduce brain function and affect functioning of the heart, respiratory system, cause impotence and create infertility among others.
She has therefore called on the Mental Health Authorities in the country start with the provision of psychosocial help for those who are addicted to the drug because users may resort to alternatives when the illicit distribution is controlled.
She has advised parents, especially, not to relent on their efforts of providing proper supervision for their children and by opening up to them so that they will feel comfortable to talk to them.
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The Public Relations Officer of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Emmanuel Aboagye, told Adom News that the abuse of Tramadol began about three years ago and has now escalated into a nationwide problem.
According to him, children have now diverted from the use of other substances such as Indian hemp, cocaine and other illicit drugs because they are criminalized, unlike the Tramadol.
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He added that most users of the drug do not acquire them from the drug stores but rather from some foreign nationals who hawk around with the drugs and from ghettos that are known to only the users.
The drugs, according to Mr. Aboagye, are smuggled into the country across borders.
Mr Aboagye also decried the fact that the nation does not have a national rehabilitation centre; a situation he says is part of the shortfalls in the mental health sector.
Parents or victims of Tramadol or any abuse can call 0544341222 or short code 4015, whatsapp line 0206973065 and toll free line 0800151000 for Vodafone and Airtel users for help.