All Progressives Congress candidate in the just concluded November 6 Anambra State Governorship Election, Andy Uba, has called for a new strategy in the fight against drug abuse in the country.
The former senator noted that one of the greatest threats in Igbo land, especially in Anambra state is drug abuse among youths.
He said various community youth leadership in the state have adopted flogging anyone found to be taking the substance.
“The question has been, will such beating solve or stop someone that is already addicted to that?,” he queried.
He called for advocacy, reorientation and rehabilitation programmes among other things as approach against the new threat from consumption of ‘Mkpulu Mmili’, adding that the government and civil society organizations should lead the strategy.
“In Anambra State, Ministries of Health, Youth, Women affairs, LGA etc should synergies and coordinate the advocacy, reorientation and rehabilitation of youths on issue of Mkpulu Mmili menace.
“In Anambra State, we have in existence, a well-organized local community administrative system (Town Union). Community system, which remain a major infrastructure through which the above listed State Government Ministries and Civil organisations can effectively manage the growing ‘Mkpulu Mmili’ abuse in the state. The rehabilitation content should accommodate training them on various skill for productivity purposes,” he said.
He called on the government to take over the narrative on the issue of Mkpulu Mmili in the state, stressing that the growing consumption of the substance cannot be separated from violent crime that is creeping into the state.