Tramadol intake competition between two young men at Babile in the Lawra District of the Upper West Region has left one person dead.

The young man in his mid-20s died after allegedly swallowing thirteen tablets of tramadol at ago in a competition among friends in Babile.

His competitor, who held the record as the highest swallower, took in five tramadol tablets at ago, and in an attempt to surpass him, he swallowed thirteen tablets at ago, leading to his collapse.

The deceased, known as Kukura, is a native of Tugo in the Jirapa Municipality, but lives in Babile in the Lawra Municipality.

The victim was rushed to the Upper West Regional Hospital in Wa and subsequently transferred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital in Tamale for further medical attention but died despite efforts by health personnel to save his life.

An eyewitness (name withheld) told Onua News that, the victim, Kukura, became weak almost immediately after taking the tablets and was rushed to the Babile Polyclinic for treatment.

He said the intake of tramadol abuse among the youth in the area is rampant and urged government to take action.

The incident has sparked concern among the people and stakeholders in Babile over the growing abuse of tramadol and other substances among the youth in Babile, the Upper West Region, and across the country.

Tramadol is an opioid medicine prescribed for moderate to severe pain, but excessive intake could suppress the respiratory system and affect the brain and other vital organs.

Its abuse has become increasingly common among some young people, who consume the drug for excitement, physical endurance, and social prestige.

The Upper West Region has, in recent years, witnessed increasing concerns over the abuse of tramadol, codeine-based syrups, marijuana, shisha, alcohol, and other substances among the youth.