The National Authority for Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) on Wednesday urged central Kenya voters to enquire and bring up issues of alcohol and drug abuse to politicians as they are seeking elective offices.
NACADA Chief Executive Officer William Okedi said eligible senior members of the society should enhance protection of young people against indulging in use of drugs. “Ask all these aspirants what they hold in their policies to curb alcoholism in our society,” he observed.
“Use of drugs and alcohol abuse is associated with prevalence of major diseases and poverty. In 2012 more than 400 people died out of drugs and substance abuse. We should now intervene to get ways and strategies of curbing it,” said Okedi.
He was speaking in Nyeri on Wednesday during the official opening of NACADA regional offices which was attended by members of the private sector, community leaders and Non-Governmental organizations.
“Drug abuse is a major social and economic problem facing the country. It has led to a reduction in human productivity and its cost is paid with human life,” Okedi noted.
The officer said that earlier on, that Kenya was used as a drug transition centre but since the agency was formed it has initiated several interventions in getting rid of drugs.
However, Okedi called upon the government to declare use of alcohol a national disaster as it did to Hiv/AIDS so as to attract national and international resources.
He further revealed that about KES 47.3 Million is set aside for government regulation committees in central Kenya districts to help in enforcing war against use of alcohol and drugs.
Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyNews24 have been independently written by members of News24's community. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.