By Tony Ezike
Methamphetamine popularly known as “mkpulu mmili” is a man-made drug developed during World War II, used by soldiers to stay awake or carry out dangerous suicidal missions.
Unfortunately, wrongful use of this dangerous substance in the South East region is increasingly compounding the mental condition of young people in the area, which has accounted for periodic loss of human life and property.
Few days ago, a Crystal Meth addict from Umuonuora village in Oraifite town, Anambra State who identified himself as Okwunna Okonkwo hacked his 22yr old brother’s wife to death having lost control under the effect of the dangerous substance methamphetamine.
Information culled from a viral video of the young man who was stripped naked during interrogation revealed that he has been warned severally to desist from taking Crystal Meth, but all advice and admonitions fell on deaf ears until he wasted the life of his brother’s wife.
Citypost learnt that the suspect used an axe meant for cutting firewood to perpetrate the dastardly act, but was apprehended and taken into custody for further investigation. One of the villagers who spoke at the background warned the general public against harbouring such characters within their vicinity as they are usually prone to violence.
In her reaction, a civil rights activist and astute politician Lady Juliet Anaeme (AdaOzubulu) who happens to be a notable political leader in Anambra South senatorial district expressed shock over the horrible incident, noting that persons already addicted should be isolated from any human enclave until they are confirmed whole by a competent medical practitioner.
AdaOzubulu who disclosed this to Citypost in a telephone chat, urged the media to assist in highlighting the importance of timely rehabilitation of victims of drug addiction and establishment of more rehabilitation centers, with a view to containing rising cases of drug addiction and careless loss of human lives in the state.
“I have been advocating for early isolation of Crystal Meth addicts, so I am terribly devastated by this additional case which could not have happened had Okwunna been isolated on time.
“These addicts who appears in human form are no longer human mentally and spiritually because they are already as wild as other wild animals that attack their fellow animals and humans alike.
“I urge prominent personalities within Ozubulu community to partner with Rev’d Father Anierobi to ensure speedy completion of the rehabilitation center he is building so that drug-related cases could be referred to the facility to ensure the safety of innocent citizens whose dreams and lifespan are being threatened by these notorious addicts.
“One of them used a pestle to hack a vibrant and promising young UNIZIK lecturer to death in Awka few days ago and now this! These drug-induced killings must stop forthwith! Every community in Anambra State should have a rehabilitation center to handle drug-related cases.
“I call on public and private institutions, including good spirited citizens to begin to see this ugly trend as a common problem that requires institutional alliance and decisive actions, otherwise our society could become uninhabitable going forward.
“It is important also to note that once addicted, the condition of anyone involved can never be corrected by mere spanking, advice or admonition. Sharing video clip of such incidents on social media is not even worth it because it is not a solution.
“I hereby call on the government to consider building more Isolation / rehabilitation centres in our communities to ameliorate the adverse effects of having drug addicts coexist with vulnerable citizens”, she said.
