Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has called on the youth in the state to avoid methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘mkpurummiri,’ and other illicit drugs. 

The governor offered this advice during a drug awareness event organized by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in partnership with Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation in Ezinihitte Mbaise council area of Imo on Sunday.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring, Chief Ezechukwu Obonna, Governor Uzodinma highlighted the detrimental impact of illicit drug use on youth productivity. He encouraged young people to focus on acquiring digital skills and engaging in agricultural practices for their personal development.

“Do not destroy your future. My objective in establishing the Bureau of Narcotics and Illicit Drugs Monitoring is to make Imo a drug-free state,” the governor emphasized.

Addressing the gathering, NDLEA’s Deputy State Commander for Operations and Training, Mr. Lamuwa Shehu, emphasized that drug abuse is a global issue, affecting the health and usefulness of young individuals. 

“About 280 million people use drugs worldwide; while 15 million persons abuse drugs in Nigeria, 6 million persons are victims who are in dire need of help,” he said.

Chief Summers Nwokie, the founder of Ikukuoma Sports Development Foundation, explained that the program was designed to change the mindset of youths and discourage them from indulging in illicit drug use.