Mkpurummiri: Anambra govt sets up committee to tackle drug abuse outbreak

The state health commissioner said the move was informed by the rising use of crystal methamphetamine (Mkpurummiri) among its youths.

News Agency of Nigeria • December 12, 2021

Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano and Methamphetamine

Worried by the rising use of illicit drugs, especially crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘Mkpurummiri’, among its youths, the Anambra State government has set up a committee to confront the menace.

This was disclosed by Dr Vincent Okpala, the state’s Commissioner for Health, on Sunday.

He said the ministry plans to fight against drug abuse in the state amongst youths to save the future of the growing generations.

Mr Okpara noted that the government has formally inaugurated a Drug Abuse Campaign Committee. He said the committee is made up of members of the academia, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Anambra State Commissioner of Police, and Clinical Psychologists, amongst others.

The commissioner said the committee is chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Health, Linus Nwankwo, and is confident that the team would achieve huge results.

“The job description of the committee is designed to achieve fast and greater results to stop the ugly outcome of drug abuse in the lives of young people.

“Members of the committee would ensure that adequate sensitisation on the dangers of drug abuse and preventive measures are spread across all the communities in Anambra,” he said.

Mr Okpala said the committee would achieve the goal by creating a strong engagement with community leaders, faith-based organisations, youth groups and other important stakeholders of the state.

Mr Okpala said the committee would also initiate and sustain surveillance on the supply chain of the deadly substance and also on its users in order to crack its actions.

He said that the committee would equally establish and upgrade referral centres of evidence-based interventions and conduct studies on drug addiction in Anambra to ensure the state is free from drug negativity.

Mr Okpala urged all residents of the state to join hands with the committee to effectively rid the state of drug menace by giving quality information to track down abusers.

“I urged us all to partner the government to become a drug free state,” he said.

(NAN)

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