NACADA board Vice Chairman Ann Mathu addressing the media as Head of Drugs and Substance abuse control at the Ministry of Health Dr Andrew Toro looks on
By Kenya News Agency
The government, through the Ministry of Health, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), and National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs), will do more sensitisation forums across the country, aimed at reducing drug and substance abuse.
Head of Drugs and Substance Abuse Control at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Andrew Toro, said the government remains committed to having campaigns around the country while meeting stakeholders, the church, judiciary, NGAOs, police, sensitizing them on how to work together and employing a multi-agency approach in fighting the menace.
This will also include sensitisation of healthcare workers to enable them to identify patients experiencing the effects of drugs and substance abuse.
Speaking in ACK Church-Kutus, Kirinyaga County, during a sensitisation programme and medical camp organised for security officers, clergy and Community Health leaders, Dr. Toro noted that the prevalence of drug and substance use was increasing, hence the need to sensitise the public, the church congregants, and all the people at large on the harmful effects of drug and substance abuse.
“We have been meeting the public, having very interactive sessions, questions and answers. And so the government is committed to educating everybody in the country on the drug issue because we have noted it is increasing, especially amongst our youth. And unless we do something, we can easily lose the next generation,” he said.
Dr. Toro added the ministry is reviewing all the laws: Alcohol Control Act, Tobacco Control Act, the Narcotic Act, looking for whether there are any gaps, so that it can tighten to ensure that there is better enforcement.
He also said there is ongoing research by the ministry in conjunction with NACADA to establish the root causes of why people are consuming drugs, the effects of these drugs, why people are having suicidal tendencies and other related factors.
The medic urged the media to expose any source and form of drugs in circulation to help in campaigns, even as the innovation and dynamics keep changing.
“We are looking upon the media to be able to spread this word. We want to recruit you as agents against drug and substance abuse. The drug industry has become innovative. Some of them look like pens. Others look like lipstick. Some have been flavoured to attract the youth,” he said.
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