Methamphetamine or Crystal Meth, otherwise known as Mkpuru Mmiri is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It takes the form of a white, odourless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol.
Methamphetamine was developed in Japan in 1919 and grossly abused during the Second World War when it was issued to pilots on a suicide mission. After the World War, it was briefly used as a medication for depression and for controlling obesity, but it was quickly abandoned and banned thereafter, especially from the seventies.
However, methamphetamine differs from amphetamine in that, at comparable doses, much greater amounts of the drug get into the brain, making it a more potent stimulant. It also has longer-lasting and more harmful effects on the central nervous system. These characteristics make it a drug with high potential for widespread misuse.
Records show that those who had Mkpuru Mmiri reported clinical significant impairment, including health problems, disability, and failure to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home as a result of their drug use. Mkpuru Mmiri comes in several forms and can be smoked, snorted, injected, or orally ingested. The preferred method of using the drug varies by geographical region and has changed over time.
Smoking or injecting Mkpuru Mmiri puts the drug very quickly into the bloodstream and brain, causing an immediate, intense “rush” and amplifying the drug’s addiction potential and adverse health consequences. Snorting or oral ingestion produces effects within 3 to 20 minutes.
As with many stimulants, Mkpuru Mmiri is most often misused in a “binge and crash” pattern. Because the effects, methamphetamine disappear even before the drug concentration in the blood falls significantly. Users try to maintain the high by taking more of the drug. In some cases, people indulge in a form of binging known as a “run,” foregoing food and sleep while continuing to take the drug for up to several days.
The substance looks like ice block, but can also be blue in colour. It is said to be one of the hardest drug addictions to treat. Sources said it could be dissolved in water and consumed, hence the Igbo name Mkpuru Mmiri.
Someone with addiction of Mkpuru Mmiri can be identified by his tattered dressing and shabby looks. He or she is always picking at hair or skin; loss of appetite and weight loss; moving eyes about every time; strange sleeping patterns – staying up for days or even weeks at a time; always taking nonstop; borrowing money often, selling possessions or stealing; angry outbursts or mood swings; psychotic behavior such as paranoia and hallucinations.
It creates possible death and makes one age fast and look sick all the time. Treatment has always been handled by psychiatrist experts, the same way people with mental derailment are treated. Addiction is a disease that affects your brain and behavior. When you are addicted to drugs, you can’t resist the urge to use them, no matter how much harm the drugs may cause.
Drug addiction is not about just heroin, cocaine, Mkpuru Mmiri or other illegal drugs. You can get addicted to alcohol, nicotine, sleep and anti-anxiety medications, and other legal substances.
At first, you may choose to take a drug because you like the way it makes you feel. You may think you can control how much and how often you use it. But overtime, drugs change how your brain works. These physical changes can last a long time. They make you lose control and can lead to damaging behaviours.
When you use these illegal drugs for a long time, it can cause changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well. They can hurt your judgment, decision-making, memory and ability to learn. Together, these brain changes can drive you to seek out and take drugs in ways that are beyond your control.
Many Igbo communities are currently facing the dangerous effect of Mkpuru Mmiri. Taking even small amounts of methamphetamine can result in the same health effects as taking cocaine or amphetamines.
Therefore, all proactive agencies, communities; human right groups, town unions, social welfare organizations are called upon to stand up against Mkpuru Mmiri to disappear from our environment.