By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
The Ministry of Health has initiated a comprehensive national campaign aimed at addressing the escalating crisis of drug and substance abuse, focusing on areas with the highest incidence rates.
The Ministry of Health has stated that this initiative, which encompasses all 47 counties organized into 10 clusters, aims to provide communities with the necessary knowledge and resources to prevent addiction and facilitate recovery.
At a stakeholder meeting held in Mombasa, attended by representatives from six coastal counties, Mary Muthoni, the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, and emphasized the critical need for collaborative efforts.
“The fight against drug and substance abuse is a national priority. We must empower communities, strengthen enforcement, and provide robust support systems to break the cycle of addiction,” she emphasized.
Speaking during the launch of 2024 Report on the Status of Drugs and Substance Use among University Students in Kenya, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen emphasized that drug and alcohol abuse is not just a health crisis but a direct threat to the nation’s future.
“Alcohol and drug abuse among our youth ruins their health, hurts their potential, threatens our national security and undermines our development,” CS Murkomen noted.
The government is now intensifying efforts to combat the scourge through a multi-agency approach, focusing on both enforcement and prevention.
“As a Government, we are enhancing the Antinarcotics Drug Unit in order to rein in the drug peddlers who are killing our children’s future. We are also exploring other measures including boosting the capacity of police stations near universities to bolster their intelligence gathering and collaboration with other agencies in helping tackle the menace,” added CS Murkomen.
The Ministry of Health has announced that the campaign is a reaction to concerning statistics, indicating that 4.7 million individuals in Kenya are engaged in substance use, which includes significant levels of alcohol and tobacco dependence.
Furthermore, the Ministry emphasized its commitment to promoting a healthier and a drug-free society through awareness initiatives, capacity-building programs, and partnerships with various stakeholders.