Mkpurummiri, crystal methamphetamine, is a dangerous illicit drug that has made many promising youths run mad in society.
“It is important to add that originally when the market came into Nigeria, it was not actually meant for the Nigerian population. It was merely a production and transit route to other African and Asian countries. Those who patronized it in Nigeria were some influential people, rich students, and politicians. ( ndi ji ego). A highly wired circulation between some hotels and government houses of Enugu and Owerri🙄. Who hit me for head?🏃♂️🏃♂️.
“I can bet my third leg that, the worse mistake the substance made was to enter into Anambra market. Anambra is a peculiar market. It has the single capacity to strive thriving businesses especially a business that generates money like “akara di ókù. Every dick and harry will jump on it until the business is either destroyed, bastardized or another one developed. Do not be so surprised that what circulates now in Anambra could be an adulterated version of methamphetamine. Ndia di very bad. Anyway back to our main topic.
“People take methamphetamine for so many reasons and in fact, it was previously recommended for soldiers to help keep them awake in battle times. And was later in the event of history prescribed as a diet and to fight depression
“In general, people take drugs for so many reasons, some of which include;
“To feel good with activation of intense feeling of pleasure.
“To feel better. for some people who suffer from social anxiety, stress, and depression just so they can feel less anxious.
“To do better. Some people feel pressure to improve their focus in school or at work or their abilities in sports.
“Curiosity and social pressure. In this respect, teens are particularly at risk because peer pressure can be very strong. Adolescence is a developmental period during which the presence of risk factors, such as peers who use drugs, may lead to substance use.
“SYMPTOMS/EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH MA ADDICTION.
“Some signs of methamphetamine use can include but not limited to ;
“Finding glass pipes and/or foil
“Finding needles and other injection paraphernalia
“Sores on the skin from picking or scratching
“Burns on the lips or fingers from a hot pipe
“Erratic behavior.
“It has also both long and short-term effects. For the long term:
“Destruction of teeth and gums
“Extreme weight loss
“Psychosis, even when not using the drug
“Decreased motor skill
“Memory loss
“Increased anxiety, confusion, and mood disturbances.
“There is also an increased risk for contracting HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections.
“Short term effects are;
“Extreme wakefulness and energy
“Increased heartbeat and respiration
“Decreased appetite
“Increased physical activity
“Visual and auditory hallucinations.
“TREATMENTS FOR MA ADDICTIONS.
“I heard one of the movie producers on his contributions to the raging debate applaud the use of a cane as the best treatment to stopping the spread and effects of the substance. In his words, “our grandfathers believe, n’eji ùtali apiapù mmadù agwù nsi”…My take on this is, a cane can only instill temporal fear. It does not solve the problem. People can instead devise alternative means to avoid being caught. Moreover, any formation or transformation undergone out of fear is simply no formation at all.
“The most effective treatments for methamphetamine addiction available at this point are BEHAVIOURAL THERAPIES. It can come in two forms;
“: COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOURAL
“: CONTINGENCY MANAGEMENT INTERVENTIONS.
“While Cognitive-behavioural involves family education, individual counseling, 12-step support, drug testing, and encouragement for non-drug-related activities, Contingency management interventions, provide tangible incentives in exchange for engaging in treatment and maintaining abstinence. Motivational Incentives for Enhancing Drug Abuse Recovery (MIEDAR), an incentive-based method for promoting cocaine and methamphetamine abstinence, has demonstrated efficacy among methamphetamine misusers through NIDA’s National Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network.
“It is to be noted that medications have proven effective in treating some substance use disorders but there are currently no medications that counteract the specific effects of methamphetamine or that prolong abstinence from and or reduce the misuse of methamphetamine by an individual addicted to the drug.
“We, therefore, submit that dancing around the streets of cities and villages with some in carnival-like appearances could only be said to be a move towards awareness creation.
“Flogging people like the Romans in the days of Emperor Nero is only scratching the surface. Efforts should be geared more towards lasting and sustainable solutions and that solution comes next. The drug war is not the kind of dance you navigate with tobacco snuff in your hand. Be patient with us as we navigate along this part.”
Ejefonye Ojinnaka, Director ECOSANCTI-The Ideal Environment Initiative.