Officials from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) are holding a five-day public education exercise in various parts of Murang’a County.
The campaign, which is in collaboration with the police and the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), is aimed at educating the public on the adverse effects of alcohol and drugs such as bhang.
Speaking during the flagging-off ceremony at Kahuro sub-county headquarters, NACADA central region coordinator Mr. Amos Warui said that, according to a survey conducted in 2022, alcohol is the most abused drug in central Kenya.
“The most abused type of alcohol is what is referred to as portable spirits that are packed in small bottles and retailed at low prices,” Warui said.
He also asked the government to invest in more rehabilitation centres to help the many people affected by the drugs and enforce stringent licensing laws to combat the alcoholism menace.
Another NACADA official, Ann Mathu, resonated with Mr. Warui’s sentiments and urged the county government to also dedicate some of the proceeds from the licensing of bars towards rehabilitation and public education.
“The money collected by the county should be used to combat the widespread alcohol and drug abuse so as to help those severely affected by illicit alcohol,” she said.
One of Kahuro’s residents, Jane Njeri, urged courts and law enforcers to ensure all those selling prohibited drugs and operating unlicensed bars are dealt with in accordance with the law.
“Anyone arrested selling drugs or illicit alcohol should be dealt with according to the law,” Njeri said, adding that the fines and other legal actions could discourage other offenders.
Kahuro DCC, Fredrick Muli, urged the responsible authorities to continue reviewing all licenses, especially those issued to establish near schools and residential areas.
Muli pointed fingers at the county government, saying that some bars that should have been closed following the recent crackdown on illicit alcohol in the region were, by some means, licensed.
By Purity Mugo and Anita Omwenga
