Ivory Coast / Reevaluation of the ban on alcoholic energy drinks: A call for transparency and responsibility from Ivorian authorities
Ivory Coast authorities have recently decided to ban the import and sale of alcoholic energy drinks. However, this measure appears to be a superficial response to a much graver issue: tramadol abuse.
Tramadol, a powerful painkiller, has become a scourge in Ivory Coast. For decades, it has been destroying lives and causing severe dependencies. Often misused, this medication is mixed with alcoholic beverages such as whisky and wine, producing even more devastating effects than those caused by alcoholic energy drinks.
Banning alcoholic energy drinks does not address the underlying problem. Consumers can still purchase alcohol and mix it with energy drinks or, worse, with tramadol. By taking this action, the authorities seem to be catering to the interests of certain breweries and importers rather than tackling the root of the problem.
Ivory Coast authorities need to recognize that banning alcoholic energy drinks is just a band-aid on a gaping wound. The real threat lies in tramadol abuse. Instead of fostering unfair competition driven by commercial interests, the authorities should focus on more effective regulatory measures and robust awareness campaigns to combat tramadol abuse.
It is crucial for the Ivory Coast authorities to be transparent with the population. It is important to reassess the ban on alcoholic energy drinks and implement concrete measures to eradicate tramadol abuse. Only by addressing the real causes can we hope for lasting change.
