As the World celebrates International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Member of Parliament for Atebubu-Amantin, Kofi Amoakohene has pointed out that Parliament must take the necessary steps to control and properly regulate the ‘over the counter sale’ of Tramadol.
Presenting his statement before the house, Mr. Amoakohene indicated that the current trend on the indiscriminate abuse of the drug among the youth is leading to a lot of mental and immune problems.
He explained that Tramadol is a man-made narcotic analgesic that is prescribed to patients suffering from severe pain but the youth are over applying the drug for contrary reasons.
Mr. Amoakohene called on the Minister for Education to consider educational curriculum programmes that will promote anti-drug campaigns as well as encourage the setting up of anti-drug youth clubs in schools from basic to the tertiary level.
In concluding his statement, Mr. Amoakohene urged the Select Committee on Defence and Interior and the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to see to the immediate passage of the Narcotics Control Commission Bill 2015.
In a submission on the statement, MP for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini also added that Tramadol as a dangerous drug is slowly killing the youth. He further cautioned that state authorities must pay much attention to curb the situation.
Mr. Fuseini again pointed out that huge quantities of the drug are smuggled into the country without further checks by the Food and Drugs Authority.
About international Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
In each year, 26th June is set aside by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to celebrate International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with the aim of raising awareness on the effects of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
Member states of United Nations are expected to organise sensitisation programmes that will enlighten the citizenry on the dangers and negative effects of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
This year’s campaign is focused on addressing the general concerns of children and youth in the society as well as throwing more light on the role of parents in taking up their full parental responsibilities in shaping the lives of their children and wards.
Source: GhanaJustice/S.Ayisi
