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Tribune News Network
Doha
A passenger has been caught with hundreds of illicit drug pills and nearly half a kilogram of hashish at the Hamad International Airport.
According to the General Authority of Customs, its inspectors seized 1990 pills of tramadol as well as 464.5 g of hashish from the passenger's bag.
Tramadol serves as a pain reliever and has a calming effect. Some people use it to help them sleep. However in excess doses it can be an energiser. The drug reportedly gives users energy to travel long distances or to work longer hours. However its long-term use can lead to opioid addiction and an overdose can lead to respiratory depression, seizures or death.
In 2014, the United States Food and Drug Administration designated tramadol as a controlled substance. This means that although it may have accepted use in medical care, it also has potential for abuse or addiction and therefore is more tightly regulated. For example, a doctor can only prescribe a maximum of five refills, and a new prescription is required every 6 months.