The National Orientation Agency has solicited the support of Civil Society Organisations in the fight against the use of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, popularly known as ‘Mkpuru Mmiri’.

The Anambra State Director of the agency, Mr Charles Nwoji, made this appeal in Awka on Thursday when members of the Justice Development and Peace/Caritas Advocates, Onitsha, visited him in his office.

Nwoji said collaboration among various agencies had become necessary in view of the increasing threats posed by drug abuse, particularly among the youth.

He said, “We want you to join us in curbing the menace of drug addiction within the state, the South-East and the country in general. We are directing our attention to that area because it has become necessary.

“In Anambra, statistics, observation and media reports indicate that the issue of drug addiction, particularly the notorious Mkpuru Mmiri, is high and has become a source of concern to the society, because these are instigators of all forms of crime and violence. We need your intervention to fight this monster to a standstill.”

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Nwoji commended the group for its role in ensuring that the recent governorship election in the state was free, fair and credible.

“If we pay attention to the highlighted gaps, there will be great improvement in the 2023 general elections. But if we gloss over them or pretend not to know that they exist, we will continue to witness similar experiences in the future,” he added.

Earlier in his presentation, the JDPC Manager, Mr Alphonsus Nwoye, had called for the enforcement of the provisions of the ‘ABC of Electoral Offences and Penalties’ published in January 2019 by the Independent National Electoral Commission to improve the integrity of the nation’s electoral process.

He commended the agency for its intensive voter education and sensitisation ahead of the election, and called for the sustainability of the same during the off season.