The National Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) is working closely with the National Government Administration Officers (Ngao) to ensure that drugs and alcohol abuse is eradicated in the Central region.
Speaking Tuesday during a multi-agency meeting in Nyeri town, Central Regional Commissioner Wilfred Nyagwanga said the government is committed to ensuring the safety of drinks that were being taken in the region.
Nyagwanga noted that the region was one of the worst hit areas in terms of alcohol consumption and the government would ensure it is saved from the harmful drinks.
“The government is working on how to mitigate some of the social problems that have emerged in the area including suicides, murders and rape that are attributed to drugs abuse,” he assured.
The Commissioner reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the region is free from drugs and the vices associated with the harmful use of the substances.
Speaking during the same occasion, NACADA chief executive officer Victor Okiema said the country is facing a serious challenge on drugs and alcoholism that must be dealt with.
Okiema said that drugs such as cocaine, heroin, bhang among others were common in many parts of the region and that they have partnered with the local administration to curb the menace.
He disclosed that 18.2 percent of Kenyans have engaged in one substance abuse or the other out of which 12.2 percent were regular use abusers of alcohol.
The NACADA boss expressed concern over how people are abusing narcotic drugs noting that many people have even started putting drugs in cookies and cakes as a way of concealing the drugs.
He however said a recent survey carried out by Nacada has revealed that consumption of alcohol in the central region has drastically dropped as compared to the previous years after the President ordered a total crackdown on illicit brew.
By Beth Ndirangu
