By Brave Dickson
The Rivers State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised alarm over the activities of methamphetamine factories in the state.
The state NDLEA suspected the existence of such factory in the state, following series of recent arrests of methamphetamine dealers and consumers.
The drug which is highly prohibited across the world and nation comes in whitish chunks also called “ice” or “glass,”
It is a popular party drug that its users usually smoke with a small glass pipe, swallow, snort or inject it into their vein.
The state NDLEA Public Relations Officer, Mr Emmanuel Ogbumgbada who spoke with our correspondent at a peace and security forum in Port Harcourt said for a long time, the state has not experienced the trading and consumption of methamphetamine.
He said “with the recent circulation of methamphetamine in the state, we strongly suspect a clandestine factory for the manufacturing of the drug.
“We expect the dealers and users of methamphetamine we have arrested to reveal where the factory is in the state as we are poised to close it down immediately.”
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According to scientific findings, methamphetamine has the following health damages:
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS
• Loss of appetite
• Increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature
• Dilation of pupils
• Disturbed sleep patterns
• Nausea
• Bizarre, erratic, sometimes violent behavior
• Hallucinations, hyperexcitability, irritability
• Panic and psychosis
• Convulsions, seizures and death from high doses
LONG-TERM EFFECTS
• Permanent damage to blood vessels of heart and brain, high blood pressure leading to heart attacks, strokes and death
• Liver, kidney and lung damage
• Destruction of tissues in nose if sniffed
• Respiratory (breathing) problems if smoked
• Malnutrition, weight loss
• Severe tooth decay
• Disorientation, apathy, confused exhaustion
• Strong psychological dependence
• Psychosis
• Depression
• Damage to the brain similar to Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and epilepsy.
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