The House of Representatives has urged the government to initiate a National Policy on drug abuse as part of measures to reduce drug abuse among the youth.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion on the urgent need to sensitize Nigerians on the danger and widespread use of crystal meth on youths.
The sponsor of the motion, Mr. Henry Nwawuba, from Imo State, South-East Nigeria stated that the drug is highly addictive and is capable of destroying a person’s mentality.
Mr. Nwawuba expressed concern that many homes, especially in the South East are currently facing the dangers and effects of the drug as 75% of the users in Nigeria have now become a burden to their families and communities.
“Crystal meth is a narcotic hallucinogen that is capable of destroying a person mentally.
“As a Stimulant, it has a powerful euphoric effect similar to those of cocaine. Meth typically keeps users awake depriving them of sleep, making them react violently, and taking a toll on the physical look of its users” Mr. Nwawuba said.
Methamphetamine also known as Crystal Meth was developed in Japan in 1919 and grossly abused during world war II when it was issued to pilots on suicidal missions then called “KamKaze.”
After the world war, the drug was used briefly as a medication for depression and for controlling obesity, but it was quickly abandoned and banned thereafter especially in the 1970s.
Mr. Nwawuba disclosed that since 1990 the production of Crystal Meth has been hijacked by Mexican drug dealers who had set up laboratories in Nigeria for the production of the drug since 2016.
While contributing to the debate, the deputy minority leader, Toby Okechukwu, stressed the need for the House to engage the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to see how the agency can be assisted in tackling the problem.
A member from Anambra State, Linda Ikpeazu, argued that if the menace is not stopped now, the country is going to have a zombie society in the next ten years.
Other members who contributed to the debate on the motion called for a marshal plan that will involve all stakeholders in the society to address the menace.
Adopting the motion, the House mandated the NDLEA to re-strategize further on its enforcement and enlightenment capacity to cover the mode and cure for meth addiction, which has no medical treatment at the moment.
Emmanuel Ukoh
