By: Sarah Baafi
The Assistant Narcotics Controller, DEO Donne Dafeamekpor, has issued a stern warning about the proliferation of deadly synthetic opioids in Ghana, particularly those falsely marketed as sexual enhancement products.
Speaking on GTV’s breakfast show during a discussion on “Red Alert: Dealing with the Drug Abuse Crisis,” he stressed that the sale of unapproved drugs violates Ghana’s Public Health Act (2012) and carries severe penalties.
“…if you are engaged in selling any product not registered by the Food and Drug Authority or approved for use, it’s illegal. You could face imprisonment for up to 25 years,” he said.
DEO Dafeamekpor specifically highlighted the dangers of synthetic opioids such as Royale 225 which are widely abused by the youth seeking to enhance sexual performance. “These are purely synthetic drugs—highly addictive and very deadly,” he emphasized. “Young people take them to please partners, not realizing the life-threatening risks.”
He expressed alarm over the deceptive marketing tactics used to push these drugs, noting that users often underestimate their addictive nature. “When you take these opiates for sexual enhancement, you don’t know the danger you’re inviting,” he cautioned.
While acknowledging the legitimate clinical use of opioids like morphine and tramadol under medical supervision, he clarified that such prescriptions are carefully managed.
“In hospitals, after surgery, doctors prescribe controlled doses. They know how to administer these drugs safely,” he explained. However, he warned that unregulated synthetic opioids, often consumed in dangerously high doses, pose a far greater threat. “The misuse of these unapproved substances is a ticking time bomb for our youth,” he added.
DEO Dafeamekpor called for intensified public education and stricter enforcement of drug laws to curb the crisis. “We must act now to save lives and hold offenders accountable,” he urged, underscoring the need for collective action to address Ghana’s escalating drug abuse epidemic.
