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 today in Abuja.
’Mkpuru Mmiri’ is the local name for crystal methamphetamine, a dangerous stimulant drug largely abused by youths in South-East Nigeria.
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 nineteen thousand (19, 000) offenders have been arrested since 2021, with over six thousand (6, 000) jailed and more than 12,000 rehabilitated.
He also expressed concern that Nigeria still has a drug prevalence of 14.4 percent which is nearly three times the global average.
On his part, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Narcotics, Hon. Francis Agbo (PDP-Benue) said that the committee was satisfied with the work of the agency and called on the Federal Government to employ more personnel for the agency, and improve its funding and equipment.
Uploaded by: FAVOUR ADEBOYE
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