By Ifeanyi Okonkwo
Methamphetamine is a potent central nervous system stimulant that is mainly used as a recreational drug and less commonly as a second-line treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity. Wikipedia
As a matter of fact, it has rendered many youths useless due to madness. Mkpulummiri has become a serious issue in the southeast with thousands of Igbo youths addicted to the drug. It Looks like ‘Ice Block’ and can be blue in color sometimes.
According to experts, Mkpulummiri is one of the hardest drug addictions to treat. It is very addictive and affects the central nervous system of whoever takes it. It creates a feeling of massive happiness that is very addictive and makes the taker want to fly. When the effect wears off, the taker tries to have that feeling again thereby taking it again.
The intake of mkpuru-mmiri has caused more harm, and brings nothing good to our youths and the entire society. Quite unfortunate, it has increased the ills in the society at the moment.
The rate of kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, money ritual, raping, madness, and other ugly stories have gone to excesses since the emergence of mkpuru-mmiri. And I ask once more: Who exactly introduced mkpuru-mmiri to our youths? Why not show them how to be useful to themselves, than introducing them to drug abuse?
Sadly, there is no drug that can cure Mkpulummiri addiction. This is what makes it so dangerous. The only treatment is behavioural therapy which we are not sure is available in Nigeria now. There is no quick cure or drug for the addiction and the therapy cure is not readily available in Nigeria.
I have watched various videos where some youths were flogged mercilessly by either local security vigilantes or youth leaders for taking mkpuru-mmiri. As a matter of fact, it breaks my heart how our youths got to this level.
This idea of flogging youths engaged in these act has generated debates amongst concerned citizens. While some are in support of it, others kicked against the flogging. The question in the mouth of many is ‘Is flogging and torture really a remedy?
Many communities in Anambra state has adopted the use of force and torture as a means of correction, but will that put an end to these menace?
Some Anambra youths were mercilessly flogged last time for taking mkpuru-mmiri. Unfortunately, an only son became sick and died just three days after, due to the severe injuries inflicted on him. As his elder sister wrote: “My brother was never a bad child.
“Suddenly, he started hanging out with rough youths and now, he is dead. Flogging them is not the best thing. Rather, they would have been rehabilitated. My only brother could have been saved, if they were not mercilessly flogged. After the flogging, my brother became sick and died three days later. It is very heartbreaking.” she lamented
The death of this young man brought up the questions like ‘of what use is the torture then? Will flogging and torture take away the addiction? What if more deaths are recorded from the flogging. What if the torture does more harm to them than meets the eyes? Lots of what ifs. These and many others questions are been asked by those who think different strategy should be used.
Those who are in support of the flogging insist that the torture is to deter would be offenders. The truth is, the only language some Nigerians understand is use of force. Pet people all you can, preach to them all you can, they will still be doing their stuff. But once you apply force, they obey.
No matter how nicely you treat drug abusers here, more will still take it. But once communities begin clamping down on them and the suppliers, they will go into hiding. In a society that has lost all sense of decency; where some people behave like animals, being nice will merely be a waste of time.
Suggestion like sourcing means to take them to rehab centers or do anything else to help them desist from the act have come up. Why torture? Someone asked.
Flogging the youths who engaged in this hard drug is not enough. Let the dealers of mkpuru-mmiri in our communities be exposed and arrested immediately.
According to WebMD, these are the signs of someone with serious meth addiction.
Tattered dressing and shabby looks. Always picking at hair or skin. Loss of appetite and weight loss. Moving Eyes about every time. Strange sleeping patterns. Staying up for days or even weeks at a time. Always Talking, Nonstop. Borrowing money often, Selling possessions, or stealing. Angry outbursts or mood swings. Psychotic behavior, such as paranoia and hallucinations.
According to experts the effects of Mkpulummiri includes: High Temperature and possible death. Unable to sleep and violent. The user ages fast and looks sick with lots of pimples.
This is a fight we all should be involved in. it is your responsibility as a parent, elder brother/sister, neighbour and relative, to monitor the youths around you at this period. Ndi Eze, the Chiefs, and other leaders in our communities should wake up!
Any community that has numbers of youths taking mkpuru-mmiri, is seriously in danger. Be vigilant, be wise and be smart. Mkpuru-mmiri has only come to destroy our youths.
Indigenes of Anambra communities have declared war on illicit drugs, most especially Methamphetamine. They should collaborate with the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Anti-cult and other relevant law enforcement agencies to begin the arrest of defaulters.
Ifeanyi Okonkwo (CelebrityJournalist) writes from Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
