The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said it is committed to clamping down on the consumption of methamphetamine, popularly known as mkpurummiri.

Mr Isah Adoro, Commander of NDLEA, Ebonyi Command, during a one-day security sensitisation campaign, organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Tuesday in Abakaliki said Mkpurummiri is a very dangerous illicit drug, adding that the addiction is hard to treat because it has no cure.

Adoro, represented by Mr Owunwa Ibezim, Assistant Commander, Training, NDLEA in the state, said the Agency was worried about the consequences of mkpurumiri on the mental health of youths.

“Drug abuse should not be treated as a political issue but a socio-economical issue. The use of mkpurummiri is already banned in Ebonyi; we call on the public to join the campaign train to overcome the intake of such drugs,” Adoro said.

Dr Garba Abari, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), represented by Dr Desmond Onwo, the Agency’s Coordinator in Ebonyi, said using drugs is one major cause of the increase in crime rate in the society.

He advised the general public to desist from the abuse as well as the intake.

“Drugs are often associated with virtually all antisocial behaviours bedevilling the country.

“It is the enemy and the trigger, which pushes people into crime such as banditry, kidnapping, rape, gender-based violence, wanton killings and destruction of public assets amongst others,” he said.