FREETOWN — Sierra Leone’s government plans to impose a total ban on the importation of high-dose Tramadol, the chief minister said on Friday, citing growing concern over widespread abuse of the drug among young people.
Chief Minister Moinina David Sengeh announced the decision while addressing participants on the second day of the Civic Festival at the Miatta Conference Hall in Freetown. He said the government would soon make an official declaration banning Tramadol 225 milligrams, a dosage authorities say is dangerous and illegal for medical use.
“The legally approved dosage of Tramadol in Sierra Leone is between 25 milligrams and 50 milligrams, strictly for treatment,” Sengeh said. “Anything above this dosage is illegal. As a government, we have decided to ban Tramadol 225 milligrams so that it cannot be legally brought into our country.”
Tramadol, an opioid painkiller, has increasingly been misused across Sierra Leone, particularly by young people. Officials say some users take the drug for prolonged alertness or as a sexual stimulant, despite medical warnings about serious health risks.
Sengeh said while the formal ban has not yet taken effect, the decision has already been approved and will soon be enforced. Until then, he acknowledged, the drug could still enter the country legally, but said authorities were moving quickly to close that gap.
“Because we want to protect our people, especially the youth, we will officially ban its importation,” he said, drawing applause from the audience.
The chief minister rejected accusations that the government was allowing drugs to flood the country, saying security agencies were intensifying efforts to intercept traffickers at ports, airports and land borders.
“These drugs are not produced in Sierra Leone,” he said. “They are coming from places like Brussels, India and London, and we are doing everything possible to stop them.”
He urged the public to cooperate with law enforcement by reporting suspected drug trafficking and abuse, adding that government hotlines were available for citizens to report suspicious activities.
Drug abuse, including the use of kush and prescription opioids, has become a growing public health and security concern in Sierra Leone, prompting calls for tougher regulation and stronger prevention measures.
By Brima Bah
