Mkpurumiri Abuse and Corporal Punishment: A Critical Analysis of Public Flogging as a Deterrent to Methamphetamine Abuse in South-Eastern Nigerian Communities.

Résumé

The article examines the use of public flogging as a community-based intervention to curb methamphetamine abuse, specifically "Mkpurumiri," in Southeast Nigeria. Despite existing drug laws and policies aimed at reducing drug use, Nigeria continues to face high levels of drug abuse, particularly among its youth. In some southeastern communities, public flogging has emerged as a controversial strategy for preventing and treating methamphetamine addiction. The study uses a descriptive research design, combining case studies, interviews, and literature analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of this method. Data were collected from 59 participants, including drug abuse victims, law enforcement agents, vigilante group members, and community leaders in select local government areas of Imo and Anambra States. Findings suggest that while public flogging is seen as a deterrent, it often leads to negative outcomes such as trauma, fear, and shame, failing to bring about long-term behavioral change. The paper argues that flogging violates human rights and calls for a shift towards rehabilitation and counseling-based interventions, which have more sustainable impacts. Ultimately, the article concludes that public flogging is not a viable or ethical solution to drug abuse and advocates for the Nigerian government to align its practices with international human rights standards by promoting rehabilitative, rather than punitive, approaches to methamphetamine abuse.