The BBC Africa Eye has aired its documentary, “India’s Opioid King”, on February 21, shedding light on the individuals and networks flooding West Africa with dangerous opioids.
The documentary highlights the region’s decade-long struggle with an opioid crisis, where illegal, addictive, and harmful pills are sold openly on the streets.
“For more than a decade, West Africa has been in the grip of an opioid crisis; illegal, addictive, and dangerous pills are sold on the streets.” The documentary narrates.
Ghana, one of the focal points in the documentary, was featured for approximately five minutes, revealing how illicit drugs are imported into the country and the devastating impact on its population.
The documentary delves into the mechanisms through which opioids, particularly tramadol, are smuggled into Ghana. It underscores the ease with which these drugs are distributed and consumed, often without regulation or oversight, causing harm to young people.
The revelations have sparked public concern from both the president and members of parliament.
In response to the documentary, President John Dramani Mahama addressed the issue during his first State of the Nation Address on February 27. He pledged to investigate the importation of opioids into the country and assured the public that perpetrators would be held accountable.
Also, Felicia Adjei, Member of Parliament for Kintampo South, shared a harrowing account of her encounter with a young man who had nearly died from tramadol abuse.
“During the Seventh Parliament, I raised concerns about tramadol. I don’t know how it entered our country,” she said. Adjei recounted how she found a young man who appeared lifeless while campaigning. She was told he would recover, and upon returning hours later, she discovered he had been revived after taking tramadol.
Adjei also highlighted the stark contrast in drug regulation between Ghana and countries like the United States.
She shared her experience of attempting to purchase medication in the U.S., where strict controls are enforced, even with proper identification. In Ghana, however, she lamented the lack of regulation, which allows drugs to be easily purchased over the counter without restrictions.
“Some young people take tramadol to enhance their ability to work. You can meet a 30-year-old man who looks like he’s 60 because of the effects of the drug,” Ms. Adjei added.
She urged the Minister of Health to take immediate action, warning that failure to address the crisis could have severe long-term consequences for the nation’s youth and public health.
The BBC Eye documentary did not feature only Ghana but also showed that it is a business damaging the health and potential of millions of young people across West Africa, including Nigeria and Cote D’Ivoire.
About Idia’s Opioid King documentary
India’s Opioid Kings, a new documentary from the BBC World Service’s award-winning BBC Eye Investigations team, has revealed that an Indian pharmaceutical company is manufacturing unlicensed, addictive opioids and exporting them illegally to West Africa where they are driving a major public health crisis.
Aveo Pharmaceuticals, based in Mumbai, makes a range of pills that go under different brand names and are packaged to look like legitimate medicines. But all contain the same harmful mix of ingredients: tapentadol, a powerful opioid, and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant so addictive it’s banned in Europe.
This combination of drugs is not licensed for use anywhere in the world and can cause breathing difficulties and seizures. An overdose can kill. Despite the risks, these opioids are widely used as street drugs in many West African countries.
The BBC World Service found packets of them, branded with the Aveo logo, for sale on the streets of Ghana, Nigeria, and Cote D’Ivoire.
