Drug abuse still high in Nigeria – Marwa

By Adeleye Kunle

The National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has urged communities in the South East to expose those producing ‘’Mkpuru Mmiri”, a highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system.

The Chairman of the agency, Mr Buba Marwa made the call while fielding questions from journalists after the 2023 budget defence session at the House of Representatives on Thursday in Abuja.

’Mkpuru Mmiri’ is the local name for crystal methamphetamine, a dangerous stimulant drug largely abused by youths in South-East Nigeria.

Marwa recalled that when the issue of ‘’Mkpuru Mmiri” came up in 2021, he assured that the NDLEA would go after the producers and marketers.

“If you recall, we recently dismantled two laboratories, we are all out in areas where terrible substances are manufactured and we will continue to dismantle more.

“So far, the Agency has dismantled 20 over the years; we want to ask communities also to stand up and be a part of this effort. Where such things are going on in their surroundings, they should report any suspected manufacturing laboratories that do not only produce ‘’Mkpuru Mmiri”, but any of the other substances,’’ he said.

Earlier at the hearing, Marwa said that the agency had made a huge difference in curtailing drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.

According to him, over 19, 000 offenders have been arrested since 2021, with over 6, 000 jailed and more than 12,000 rehabilitated.

The NDLEA chairman said that 5,452 million kilograms of drugs valued at N420 billion had been confiscated and 740 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed.

He expressed concern that Nigeria still has a drug prevalence of 14.4 per cent which is nearly three times the global average.

“We have about 15 million Nigerians who are using drugs which is equal to the population of Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Gambia and Liberia all combined.

“We in the NDLEA wish to assure this esteemed committee that we are resolute and will remain upstanding in rising to the challenge of our mandate which is to eliminate the cultivation, processing, manufacturing, sale, trafficking and use of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances,’’ he said.

Marwa said that the House Committee on Narcotics had demonstrated commitment to combat drug abuse in the country.

He said this was evident in its efforts to amend the NDLEA Act, enhance the agency’s budget, support compulsory drug testing and make NDLEA beneficiary of the Police Trust Fund.

Marwa said there was a need to properly fund the agency and insulate its staff from the influence of drug barons.