Young Man Dies After Allegedly Swallowing 10 Tramadol Tablets During Competition With Friends
A young man has died after allegedly swallowing 10 tramadol tablets at once during a competition with friends at Babile in the Upper West Region.
The deceased, identified only as Kukura, was reportedly in his mid-20s. He was a native of Tugo in the Jirapa Municipality but lived in Babile in the Lawra Municipality.
According to reports, the incident occurred after one of his friends allegedly swallowed six tablets of tramadol. Kukura is said to have taken 10 tablets in an attempt to outdo him.
An opinion leader in Babile, Alex Yirikye, confirmed the incident to the Ghana News Agency after reports circulated on social media earlier this week.
Witnesses said Kukura became weak shortly after taking the tablets and was rushed to a nearby health facility for treatment. He was initially taken to the Babile Polyclinic before being referred to the Upper West Regional Hospital in Wa and later transferred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where he died despite efforts to save his life.
The incident has renewed concerns among residents and community leaders over the growing abuse of tramadol and other substances among young people in the Upper West Region and across Ghana.
Tramadol is a prescription opioid used to treat moderate to severe pain. Health experts warn that excessive intake can severely affect the brain and other vital organs and may suppress breathing, which can lead to death.
The drug is increasingly being abused by some young people, who reportedly use it for excitement, physical endurance and social status.
The Upper West Region has in recent years recorded increasing cases involving the abuse of tramadol, codeine-based cough syrups, marijuana, shisha and alcohol.
Authorities say efforts are being intensified to tackle the growing problem through anti-drug operations and public education campaigns. A regional task force set up to combat substance abuse has reportedly carried out raids in communities, transport stations and suspected drug distribution points, leading to the seizure of tramadol and other substances.
Speaking in an interview, spokesperson for the task force, Kelvin Sunkpal Dafaari, described the incident as worrying and called on the public to support efforts to curb the illegal sale of drugs.
He disclosed that the task force had engaged licensed pharmacies across the region to ensure tramadol and other prescription drugs are sold only with a doctor’s prescription.
Mr. Dafaari also appealed to residents to report individuals involved in the illegal sale of drugs, assuring informants that their identities would be protected.
“We have to be each other’s keeper. People know those selling these drugs in their communities, but they do not report them,” he said.
“You may think your child is safe today, but tomorrow he or she may follow friends into it, and the same person you refused to report will sell the drugs to your child.”
