The war on mkpuru mmiri begins in Igboland.
5 min read
“This drug is right now wasting the destiny of many youth and it is making them do heinous things that a sane person is incapable of contemplating. Under its influence, they can cut someone to pieces with a knife and feel no remorse, or take life at the slightest provocation. That is how far this hard drug can drive or manipulate its hostage. When the effect wears off, the taker tries to have that feeling again thereby taking it again.” Report.
The above was a verdict Umuaka Times came across during the research for the story on how Mkpuru mmiri MM has devastated Igbo youths. The report absolutely captures the scenario and the entire events associated with MM today. Despite the MM “colonization” of Igbo youths, the Igbo nation in the South East Nigeria is seriously facing other multi directional crisis period. The fight against the Fulani invasion of the land flourishing with milk and honey, the fight against the invading Nigerian soldiers in search of the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB. The fight to liberate the people of the Igbo nation from kidnappers, armed robbers and its politicians. Despite all these fights, there is also another big fight which seeks to realize the Igbo presidency come 2023.
All these fights put together will definitely reflect as a child’s play when compared to the master of all fights; the fight against mkpuru mmiri MM. Mkpuru mmiri (methamphetamine Hydrochloride) is a (prohibited) new addictive substance in town that causes a lot of damage to the user. According to the findings made by Umuaka Times late last week, the drug has been in use in Asia since the end of Second World War while in Nigeria, it is less than 2 years. Several youths across Igboland are totally hooked to this drug and it has sent a good number of them to their early graves while some others have suffered several harms such as “destruction of tissues in nose if sniffed, respiratory (breathing) problems if smoked, infectious diseases and abscesses if injected, malnutrition, weight loss, severe tooth decay, disorientation, apathy, confused exhaustion, strong psychological dependence and damage to the brain similar to Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and epilepsy.”
The above is no end to the MM troubles; there is a sound confirmation by Umuaka Times health correspondent that several youths are suffering from mental illness due to the use of MM. A report Umuaka Times monitored from the internet sums it thus: “Methamphetamine or widely called Mkpuru Mmiri in the south-east is a devastating drug, highly addictive and very accessible. It is also easily administered. It could be ingested, sniffed or inhaled. This substance can be used in the clinical treatment of some Developmental and Somatic Disorders, but I won’t regale you with tales that are irrelevant to the theme of this post.
Crystal Meth, a variant of Methamphetamine, stimulates the Central Nervous System and triggers inexplicable euphoric states in the individual. It has also been found to be an aphrodisiac and a possible weight loss enhancement substance.
These have made it very fanciful for young men who cherish their sexual virility and ladies who would kill to keep a trim figure. Unfortunately, with increased usage comes tolerance and dependence, the hallmarks of substance addiction. The repercussions are dire and almost always have long term side effects.”
The reports also confirmed that, “Hyperactivity, manic behaviour, aggressive sexual tendencies, and so many more, are some of the side effects of addiction. Studies have also found a correlation between crystal meth abuse and STIs, including HIV (as a result of the sexual hyperactivity). Overdose is also a possibility with 200 mg considered as fatal. Unfortunately, in the streets of Onitsha or Owerri, there is no guarantee for reliable measurement during consumption.”
Umuaka Times also discovered that a good number of young Akalites especially motorcycle boys have embraced MM as their new found love. Before MM was introduced to the Igbo youths, especially those from the ages of 17 and above, most of them were hooked on marijuana and another brand of drugs known as SK. When SK came, a good number of the youths left marijuana and went for it because it was giving them the higher sensation and craze they ever craved for. Just in a couple of years, Arizona came into the fold. Arizona was rated higher than SK and many also abandoned SK and went for it due to its ability to charge the consumer the way he wanted as well. As at today, many confuse SK with Arizona because they look very alike. A female student of Imo State University who spoke to Umuaka Times confirmed that she and her circle of friends have tasted all the substances. “I have tasted all of them and I can assure you that Arizona is SK raised to the power 100.”
Another fellow, a motorcycle boy who also spoke to Umuaka Times lamented that none of the substances gives him the sensation and feel-good-effects any more except another drug called Colorado. He told Umuaka Times that Colorado is higher than Arizona and has the capacity to make you do unusual things, no matter how criminal or dangerous it may be. “Colorado just beings out the devil in you,” he told Umuaka Times.
All the drugs Umuaka Times diagnosed, with their destructive potency, are nothing to compare with MM. If you can use a criminal term to describe all the drugs mentioned as armed robbers or kidnappers, “MM is the real suicide bomber” every youth needs to avoid.
According to the IMSU female student, “Anyone who uses MM can rape, kidnap, kill and do anything no matter how bad. The moment you take it, the entire world becomes as little as a SIM card to you.” In her honest confession, Umuaka Times gathered from her that a good number of students in Imo State have either dropped out, run mad or died as a result of MM consumption. From indications, the IMSU student says she has reached her last bus stop because early this year, she lost a good friend of hers to MM. The fellow whom she lost was her smoking or sniffing partner.
If care is not taken by the relevant authorities and stakeholders in Igboland, MM will do to Igboland what Covid19 is doing to Europe and America.
