Western Kenya region is leading in Alcohol Consumption and Mental Health, National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) Regional Manager- Western Sarah Koske has revealed.
Speaking during the commemoration of the International Day Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse at Malaba Township Primary School, Koske said the latest research that was carried out in 2022 puts the region in the lead with 23 percent out of eight.
“The region has overtaken Central region, which led in 2017’s research. We have taken the cup; it’s here with us. What are we going to do with the cup? Do we celebrate? She posed.
To make matters worse, Western region is leading in chang’aa consumption and traditional brew (busaa), an indication that we have taken all the cups!”
She added: “In the next three years, when the next research will be conducted, we need to wake up and work together to reverse this embarrassing scenario. Taking children to school is a problem, and so, is running families.”
Mental Health, which is also leading in the region, is mainly caused by excessive drinking of alcohol and drugs and substance abuse. This problem needs concerted efforts as Busia County and the region as a whole.
The sentiments which were echoed by Amagoro Assistant County Commissioner Titus Kiptoo Kosgei who noted that in Teso North alone they destroy 500 litres of illicit liquor daily, adding that the subcounty leads in Changaa, and Kangara consumption.
“Teso North is leading in the county in production, smuggling and consumption of illicit liquor. We destroy over 500 litres of changaa daily not forgetting sacks of bhang we intercept being smuggled daily,” said ACC Kiptoo.
He urged local administration and police to remain vigilant to save the future generation owing to the fact that the region is leading in production and consumption.
Already NACADA has set up its office in Busia County just as a mitigation measure in support of the fight against drug abuse the evidence is clear invest in prevention.
Ken Marau is now the newly appointed NACADA county coordinator, who promised to work closely with all stakeholders in the fight against drugs and substance abuse.
According to Marau the setting up of NACADA office in Busia is the greatest milestone whose main focus is on prevention to make Kenya a drug-free nation.
Malaba Municipality Manager Francis Asoyong thanked NACADA for choosing Malaba to host this year’s International Day Against Alcohol and Drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
The municipal manager said the venue of the event was timely, considering that the town is a porous border and the gateway to East and Central Africa.
St. Thomas Amagoro Archdeacon Rev. Ben Oriama urged parents to give guidance to their children and act as their role models to discourage them in engaging in alcohol and drugs and substance abuse.
CECM for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives Olakachuna Omuse, who was the chief guest, said the county government has already submitted tenders to complete the construction of a rehabilitation centre in Butula in the coming financial year.
“The county government of Busia has already set up a rehabilitation centre in Butula in an effort to save the youthful generation,” said CECM Omuse.
By Absalom Namwalo
