Health News of Saturday, 4 August 2018

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Akuapem North Assembly rehabilitates Tramadol addicts

Tramadol is one of the most abused drugs in Ghana at the moment Tramadol is one of the most abused drugs in Ghana at the moment

The Akuapem North Municipal Assembly has began a campaign to identify and rehabilitate Tradamdol addicts.

The reformed abuser of the drug will then be offered jobs.

The move, according to Municipal Chief Executive, Dennis Aboagye, is to rid the municipality of persons who abuse hard substances to the detriment of their lives.

As part of the exercise, the municipal security council has been engaging abusers of the drugs in the various hideouts to get them registered.

The council which has expressed worry over the proliferation of the drug in the area embarked on a roadshow to draw the attention of the public, especially the youth to the dangers associated with abuse.

The over 2-hour peace walk started early in the morning at Akropong through the principal streets to Abiriw.

Clad in shirts with the inscription "TRAMADOL" security officers, staff of the assembly and some civil society groups held placards to protest the abuse of tramadol, codaine, and other drugs.



The roadshow was taken to the Abiriw cemetry and other hideouts in the municipality notorious for the sale and use of these drugs.

Leadership of the municipal security council interacted with victims.

Oboosu Wale, a known victim of tramadol abuse in the area who shared his experiences said " You get infection, it spoils your kidneys and other organs, someone knocked me down after I took some about three months ago so I will advice the youth to stop because it's not good", he confessed.

While efforts are underway to find alternative livelihoods for victims, Municipal Chief Executive, Dennis Aboagye believes the best approach to tackle the abuse is to educate the public on the consequences of substance abuse.

The MCE urged the general public to support the fight against drug abuse by reporting victims to the assembly for rehabilitation.