Jci Accra elite fight against Tramadol abuse

Over one hundred pupils from Nima cluster of schools in Accra have been sensitized against drug abuse.

The initiative according to the organizers is to join the fight against the prevalence of drug abuse especially tramadol among the youth in the country . The Students were educated on the effect of drug abuse and how it can be prevented.

Students between the ages of 15 and above from upper primary and JHS of "Nima 2" Basic school benefited from the event.

Educating the students on the theme "Drug abuse", a psychiatric clinician Seidu Asima, reiterated the need for the students to become an ambassadors in campaigning against the menace.

He said, drug abuse is Increasing among the youth and hence the need for sensitization.

"Today you will become an ambassador, when you go home pass it on to your friends, your brothers, your parents and to everybody", The clinician advised.

He added that drug abuse affect individuals physiological and psychological hence can cause hallucination, Nausea, vomiting, sweating, dizziness among others.

Mr. Seidu Asima however, advised the students to report anything wrong with them to their parents, community elders, Teachers, Pastors and Imams or visit the hospitals before taking any drug.

He cautioned the students to desist from taking unprescribed drugs since it can affect them.

Speaking to GIJ News, the member of project management Committee of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Accra Elite chapter Karimatu Fuseini
said the selection of Nima Cluster of schools became necessary due to the increase of drug usage among some people in the area.

She said the situation was revealed earlier to them by the assembly man of the area.

"We spoke to the assembly man of Nima-west so he thought it wise that we do it in the school as they are the young ones coming up",she stated.

She further pledged her organization's support to help sustain the initiative in the school.

"The headmaster has given us the go-ahead of visiting them twice every term so it's a privilege. We would really love to be coming for evaluation and also continue the process because it's a trending issue in the whole world now", she added.

Meanwhile, the headmaster of the school Mr. Noah Ayisi has bemoaned the abuse of drugs among students.

"Drug abuse has been a major problem in Nima community here and With the inception of tramadol it is becoming worse.

We see it mostly in the attitude of the boys especially, as some becomes rebellious and and truant", the headmaster revealed.

He said the situation is pathetic and getting worse hence continues sensitization ceremonies and other events will help curb the menace.

Mr. Ayisi expressed satisfaction for the timely intervention from JCI Accra Elite group.

"The event is very very timely because looking at the situation, the tramadol abuse is becoming a menace in our community here in Nima. So it's very very timely", he said.

He however call on civil society organizations and other Non-profit organizations to emulate JCI Accra Elite initiative to help win the fight against drug abuse.

He said government should also intensify efforts to regulate tramadol and other drugs which has become readily available to the youth in the country.

Some participants speaking after the event were optimistic of carrying the cross to become an ambassadors in educating others on drug abuse.

Credit: Richard Mensah