There is a growing trend of Tramadol abuse among commercial drivers in some parts of the country especially Tema, Chief Supt. Joseph Owusu Bempah, Tema Regional Police Command/ Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD), has said.

According to him, this development has resulted in the drivers engaging in excessive speeding, a situation that has increased the rate of motor accidents within the Tema area.

Tramadol abuse, according to medical experts, functions like heroin and can cause psychotic problems as well as damage vital organs in the human body.

Speaking on Ghana Yenson on Accra 100.5FM on Tuesday, May 1, Chief Supt. Owusu Bempah said “Some of the drivers are using Tramadol and that is very dangerous.

“Because of that, they drive recklessly and over speed thereby putting the lives of passengers in danger.”

He added: “sometimes you realise that most of these drivers don’t even have licence, they can’t even read and write, they don’t even know the road signs and so we arrest them and take them to court for the right sanctions to be meted out to them by the courts.”