Enugu Residents Decry Drug Abuse By Teenagers

Residents of Enugu have raised the alarm over the incessant abuse of narcotics by teenagers in the capital city.

Some of the residents who spoke in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP in Enugu expressed worry over the increasing involvement of underage children in the abuse of narcotics.

Our investigation revealed that even some children in primary and secondary schools are now taking hard drugs like methamphetamine and Indian Hemp, popularly known as Nkpurumiri and Igwo, respectively, in Igbo language.

It was gathered that most of the teenagers were introduced to smoking hard drugs by some drug addicts and ex-convicts.

A resident of Trans Ekulu Layout who identified himself as Obiinna Ekwe said it was unfortunate that the society has degenerated to the extent of teenagers getting addicted to hard drugs.

” It is not a welcome development at all. How can small kids be smoking hard drugs at their age? They don’t even hide it. If you go to places like Obiagu, Onu Asata and others at night and even in the daytime, you will see them smoking it.

” I’m appealing to the relevant authorities to look into this ugly development, I know that NDLEA officials are doing their best, parents should also monitor their children” he stated.

Another resident, Ignatius Okonkwo, decried the increasing number of teenagers abusing drugs in Enugu State.

” It is no longer news because these teenagers do not even hide the hard substances they are taking, most of them are even addicted to methamphetamine which is very dangerous.

” Just take out time and go to some isolated joints, especially where youths like to relax, and you will be surprised by what you will see. Some of these teenagers look exactly like mad men when they take these hard drugs.

” My worry is that these drugs are destroying the future of these young ones, and most of them are now addicted to the drugs, which to me is a bomb that will explode anytime,” he stated.