So much has been said about Tramadol abuse in Ghana. The fight against Tramadol, a pain relief drug, according to medical experts, functions like heroin and can cause psychotic problems as well as damage vital organs in the human body has been one of the major recent issues in the country.

The abuse of tramadol has being on the rise for quite some months now. The drug which has caused more harm than good in the society has made a lot of people especially the youth do the unthinkable. While some have put an end to the intake of tramadol, some still find conceit in taking the drug.

In an interview conducted by Brytfmonline reporter Asare Joseph, with some head potters popularly known as Kayayie in the Eastern Regional Capital, Koforidua in the New Juaben South Municipality revealed that, their addiction to tramadol is unimaginable and they (Kayayie) thinks nothing can stop them from taking the drug.

“I take tramadol almost every day to do my job. My brother as you can see how difficult my work is, taking the drug helps me in carrying out my work without feeling any severe pains. Some of the things we carry are very heavy and we need support. So I take the tramadol to assist me in doing my job”. Said by one.

“Most people use the tramadol for irrelevant things that’s why they say it’s not good to take the drug. But I think if someone should take the drug and use it effectively then I see no problem with it. We have customers who call us every day to carry their goods for them. When he or she calls you and you give an excuse you are not well or strong enough to carry the goods, he or she will find another Kayayie to do your job for you and from there you seize to be a customer to that person. So to avoid that, I take tramadol to make me carry items without feeling any pain.

”I have a girlfriend and a son to take care of. I want to give my son a good education through this job, so I will do everything to put food on the table and also help my son to achieve what I couldn’t achieve during my days in school. The truth is we cannot stop taking tramadol. It boosts us to work hard without fear or intimidation “. Said by another.

The head potters who do not care about the side effects tramadol has on individuals, disclosed that, they getting enough energy to work enormously and that’s all what matters to them. Again, they care about what they will get at the end of the day other than the implication tramadol will bring them.

Tramadol is an opiate analgesic prescribed for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain.

The drug works by changing the way your brain and nervous system respond to pain. Because Tramadol is a milder form of opiate medication, people falsely believe the drug is not addictive.

Tramadol dependence can develop after continued use and this can lead to addiction.