We have all heard about it – the horrors, the shame it brings to families and the damage it does to youths. We have seen the videos, heard the stories from eyewitnesses, family members and unrewarded newscasters.
For people like me who work in the medical and health field, we have seen patients who have been said to use the drug.
Talking about mkpụrụ mmiri in March 2022 might sound like a broken record but no news is ever too late especially when it concerns health and life. You’d be surprised that even with the awareness created; some youths are still indulging in the use and abuse of this drug. Just ask your friends and acquaintances that work in the hospital. Now and then, a young patient is rushed into the emergency ward because they consumed mkpụrụ mmiri.
Use and addiction to mkpụrụ mmiri is the pandemic plaguing our youths that we can’t talk about enough. It is the killer ravaging our communities and sending our youths to their early graves. Both young boys and girls have become users of this drug.
What is mkpụrụ mmiri?
Mkpụrụ mmiri is an Igbo slang translated as “seed of water.” But don’t let this seemingly innocent translation deceive you, Mkpụrụ mmiri refers to the narcotic hallucinogen known as Methamphetamine Hydrochloride in the medical world and Crystal meth in the streets. The name “Mkpụrụ mmiri” is a result of its crystal/shiny blue rock-like appearance. Like every other abused drug, crystal meth can be addictive and has noticeable side effects on the user.
The drug can be consumed orally (through the mouth) or by nasal ingestion (through the nose). It can also be taken as an injection or smoked using a glass pipe. Any way the drug the consumed, it works on the CNS (central nervous system) and gives the user feeling of “high,” good and on top of the world. At some point, the user might begin to feel too excited, panicky, on edge, angry etc. basically, it makes the user an unpredictable whirlwind of emotion that is a danger to both themselves and others.
The need to retain the “feel good” feeling is what leads to constant consumption and subsequent addiction to the drug.
Signs of addiction
If there’s ever a reason to be your brother’s keeper, addiction to mkpụrụ mmiri is one of them. Through careful observation, you’d be able to tell if someone is using crystal meth.
The signs of addiction to the drug are pretty telling and obvious. Individuals who are addicted to crystal meth are referred to as tweakers. The most obvious sign of addiction to mkpụrụ mmiri is “tweaking” which is observed by an extreme mood change.
Users of mkpụrụ mmiri suffer from insomnia and hence are unable to sleep. They can go for days without sleeping. They also don’t eat. To hide these behaviours from people around them, they resort to lying. They can become hyperactive, have explosive mood swings, paranoia and anxiety attacks.
Users also begin to withdraw from everyone, stealing becomes a habit because they need to sustain their lifestyle. They can also present with rapid weight loss, swollen eyes, marks on fingers and lips (chapped lips from smoking), scratches on the skin, inability to stay still, swinging movement of the arms and legs etc. They will also be incoherent and most often make no sense while talking.
Things to watch out for
While your friend, acquaintance or loved one might be lying and desperately trying to hide their addiction from you, you can find out for yourself if they are indeed using the drug after you have confirmed that they are showing the signs of use and addiction.
Things to watch out for include: needles and syringes, glass pipe, tourniquets, rolled up paper (used for sniffing). These are referred to as paraphernalia used by addicts to aid their habit and the user is bound to hide them.
Effects of mkpụrụ mmiri
Crystal meth affects the CNS and gives the user a sense of euphoric feeling. Addictive use can lead to weight loss, confusion, brain damage, destruction of nasal tissues, breathing problems, dehydration, and damage to the cardiac system. Development of abscesses from the point of injection might also present.
The drug can manipulate the user and make them do dangerous things they’d never have done such as stabbing themselves or someone else, fighting.
When overdosed, death can occur.
Conclusion
Mkpụrụ mmiri addiction is very dangerous as no drug can be used to cure the addiction. Behavioural therapy, which is not available in Nigeria, is the only treatment option.
For all the feel-good vibes, the highs and the ecstatic feelings in the world, the use of mkpụrụ mmiri isn’t worth the stress. It drains you, damages your organs, makes you a danger to yourself and your community and can lead to your death. The end product of crystal meth use doesn’t look good for anyone so please, dear Nigerian youth, stay away from Mkpụrụ mmiri, ice, stone or water name you choose to call it. It’s a killer.
