Title:
CHURCH'S RESPONSE TO METHAMPHETAMINE (MKPURU-MMIRI) ABUSE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN SOUTHEAST NIGERIA

Authors:
Bartholomew Nnaemedo ; Michael Nwoko and Valentine Nwaugo ,Nigeria

Abstract:
This study aimed at the Catholic Church's response to methamphetamine abuse by young people in Southeast Nigeria. Methamphetamine is an amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS). This class of drugs excites or speeds up the nervous system and produces effects similar to adrenaline. The Igbo Language renders it as mkpurumiri (seed of water). Presently methamphetamine is a drug primarily abused in the Southeast zone. There is not yet a definite effort to study the phenomenon in-depth to know its remedial measures. Such is the reason for this investigation. It employs a selfconstructed questionnaire as a data-collecting instrument, and the theoretical framework is the integrative model. The study population is 21,955,414, and the sample size is 386. The finding showed that Catholic Church responds to methamphetamine abuse among young people through Christian counselling, prayers, awareness campaign, conferences, seminars, rehabilitation, care, and collaboration with the government. The study recommends the establishment of more clinics for the victims and synergising with others concerned the drug abuse in the zone.