Aphrodisiac use among the youth: a worrying trend

Last weekend, whilst still recovering from the rather disgraceful end to the Black Stars' World Cup dream, I walked into a pharmacy to pick up some painkillers . As I entered the pharmacy, I chanced upon a group of young men in their late 20s and mid 30s at the counter. I picked up bits of their interaction with the attendant at the pharmacy and watched as they gleefully talked about the "drug" they were purchasing. 

 

Something about the interaction got the group to burst into bouts of laughter. Whilst still standing there waiting for my turn to be served, I heard one of them tell the rest in Twi, "aduro wei b3ma wu ako 3 rounds straight". To wit, "this drug will make you perform 3 rounds of sex at a go". This comment gave the young men away about the drug they were buying. Aphrodisiacs.

 

I smiled as I wondered why strong and energetic young men needed aphrodisiacs at their ages to please their women. Anyways, no sooner than that, it was my turn and I could not help but inquire a bit more about aphrodisiac use among young people which I later found out is on the increase lately.

USERS

According to the attendant, Elsie, their clientele base is made up largely of young people between the ages 25 and 38 years just like the group I met. She also intimated that most purchases are made on Fridays leading into the weekends. She however indicated that they have had much younger people walk in to buy aphrodisiacs. Most of their customers were males but they also encounter females once in awhile. A normal male adult is at his sexual prime between these years and should be able to perform at 'full capacity" without the aids of any stimulants or aphrodisiacs. So I found it a bit unusual the increasing numbers of males who are turning into sexual enhancing drugs for "stamina" and "vim" to perform. Are we looking at a society of randy young people who are now exploring all avenues to experiment with their sexual prowess? What could be accounting for this sudden surge for aphrodisiacs?

TYPES

I also found out that there were various types of aphrodisiacs; to think that I never noticed them in all of my previous visits to the pharmacy shop, beats me. There they were with fantastic names and colourful pictures of virile men and women with some intimate parts displayed on their boxes. Stone, one such aphrodisiac, promises a three hour erection to any one who dared to use it. I am told this particular one is quite popular among patrons. Black Diamond is another one which promises the same blissful time of pleasure. Spanish Fly, I hear, can turn the heads of the most reluctant lady if administered in drinks and other such medium. This sent shivers down my spine as I wondered how many ladies may have fallen to unscrupulous persons who gave them drinks laced with it.

Most of these products especially those at the pharmacies and drug stores are from destinations unknown; there are often no clearly stated country of origins on the packaging. Some are also known to be from China.  It is thus difficult to confirm their safety for use. There are no indications they have undergone any quality check with the appropriate regulatory bodies such as the Ghana Standards Authority, and the Food and Drugs Authority.

But then, aphrodisiacs are not limited to the foreign ones. These days, it is a common sight to see table top herbal medicine stands with their sales persons championing one herbal concoction or the other which they claim will make a man "go on long journey". These stands usually have carvings of the male phallus displayed as main attractions. I am informed they are very well patronized. Sometimes, sellers of such local aphrodisiacs board public transport and display their potent wares.

Television and radio ads are not spared as viewers and listeners are bombarded each day even during prime time with one advert of local liquor which allegedly also have aphrodisiac qualities. It appears to be the marketing norm lately to tag liquor with the aphrodisiac potency to boost sales  and patronage.

RISKS

Aphrodisiac use does come with some risks as pointed out to me by the pharmacy attendant who was blushing at this point. I was shocked to hear of tales of men being dashed to the emergency rooms with a long term erection a condition known in medical terms as Priapism. There are also stories of some who died after long hours of "enhanced" sex bouts. For those who lived to tell the stories, long use of such enhancement drugs finally results in infertility and sexual dysfunction. The lost of valuable human resources through such avoidable and preventable deaths is one which cannot be quantified. 

I believe we should be worried about the proliferation of such drugs on our market especially when no proper checks about their safety have been carried out. Of concern to us as a society also, should be on the reasons why young people especially the men, are going in for aphrodisiacs as a means of boosting and showing off their virility. The advertising of local liquor as an aphrodisiac must also be checked since it can promote excessive alcohol intake and encourage inappropriate behavior especially among young people.

Stunned by the revelations from the pharmacy attendant,  I walked out without picking up my drugs with a worried look on my face as I wondered what a horny society we are gradually becoming.