Odawna Trotro Drivers Admit To Taking Marijuana Toffees Before Going On Trips
The commercial drivers at the Odawna lorry station in Accra have admitted to the fact that they use drugs to double their round trips to make more sales.
The substances including marijuana, cocaine, and tramadol often concealed in sweets or toffees, are consumed to boost their energy levels to work longer hours.
Also, Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), confirms fears in many of its members get high before they take passengers on a journey.
In addition, most of the passengers are exposed on the roads, these drivers prefer to use drugs to help them make ends meet in a difficult economy.
They said, “We take ‘wee’ toffee and chilled water to drive so well and If you take this ‘wee’ toffee, no Police officer can detect it, and you drive freely to your destination.”
“If you don’t smoke, you can’t do this work; the work is hard, and for you to cover several round trips, you have to smoke ‘wee’ to make you feel high.”
“Some of their colleague drivers smoke ‘weed’, and they abuse alcohol too because it helps them to work without getting tired.
“We have been advising them to stop it, but they are not willing to stop, regardless of the health and social implications.”
The General Secretary of GPRTU, Godfred Abulbire, revealed in an interview with Accra base radio station that they have received reports of some drivers consuming cocaine-laden toffees and alcohol to stay awake and alert while traveling on long-distance journeys.
“But the situation now is becoming more than we expected…not even alcohol alone, I remember somebody called me and asked if I have heard of this toffee that is made of cocaine or whatever, and I responded in the negative, but in some way, I have heard about it,”
Meanwhile, the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called for random testing on the roads to fish out these drivers and punish them.
Following these disclosures, a manager at the Odawna station has vowed to fire any driver caught engaged in the illegal behavior.
“Some of these drivers do what they want,” he said, “but as a station master, I would fire anyone who is caught consuming drugs.”
