Igbo youths, yesterday, raised the alarm over growing intake of methamphetamine (Mkpuru mmiri) and other hard drugs among youths and called for collective action. They lamented the unfortunate rate at which young Igbo girls were joining illicit consumption of the drugs, especially in the communities, stressing that the trend could destroy they youths and future.
The alarm followed a viral video of three young girls arrested by vigilantes at Ifiteduno, Anambra State, over purchase and consumption of Mkpuru mmiri. When interrogated, the girls, who gave their ages as 17, 20 and 21 years, said they had been smoking the substance in the last one year. They claimed they were out of school and often buy N1,000 worth of the substance daily from a dealer they identified as ‘Onye na way ya’ at the popular Oye Agu junction in the area.
Perturbed by the development, the President General, Coalition of Southeast Youth Leaders (COSEYL), Goodluck Ibem, said parents and guardians must do everything within their powers to guard their children and wards against intake of the destructive substance during the festive season. Ibem, in a statement he co-signed with the Publicity Secretary, Okay Nwaoru, vowed to take campaign against the substance to schools, communities and everywhere in Igbo land, to save youths from its destructive tendencies. He said: “Crystal meth or Mkpuru mmiri can cause a spike in a person’s body temperature, causing him or her to pass out or even die. It is very dangerous to human beings. The substance can also lead to anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood swings, and violent behaviour. “Users’ looks can change dramatically; from ageing quickly, to having a dull skin. They can also develop hard-to-heal sores and pimples, and may have a dry mouth and stained, broken, or rotting teeth. “Persons addicted to Mkpuru mmiri will also become paranoid and start hallucinating. They could also think of hurting themselves or others and may feel as though insects are crawling on or under their skin. There is nothing good about Mkpuru mmiri. It is a future-destroyer, which is why every youth most run away from it. “We will take the campaign against Mkpuru mmiri and other hard drugs to our schools, markets, and every nook and cranny of the South East zone. We will nip this evil in the bud. South East governors, traditional rulers, community leaders, and parents must join the fight against this evil called Mkpuru mmiri and hard drugs.”