By ODP
Worth Noting:
- She reminded the nation of the critical position men occupy in society as the “seed carriers” who propagate generations, and warned against the drinking of illicit brews that result in men losing their vigor for siring children.
- “Alcohol and drug abuse does not choose religion. We have very serious addictions, in all religions, and across races. Drug addiction is in all homes, among the poor and the rich. This is a demon traversing all boundaries ravaging our children and communities. Many mothers and fathers are troubled, and we must do something about it,” said Pastor Dorcas.
- She also cautioned on the increasing number of widows in the country, where homes are manned by women, as men lose their lives from accidents caused by drunk driving.
Pastor Dorcas Rigathi over the weekend accelerated the fight against alcohol and drug abuse in the Lower Eastern Region of Kenya.
In a mega meeting that brought together more than 5,000 clergy and 3,000 high school students and teachers from across the region, Pastor Dorcas advocated for the involvement of the clergy in rescuing those in addictions.
She also spoke to high school students, separately, as part of the preventive program against addictions at the Machakos University grounds, saying, “I am going to continue with the affirmative action for the boy child, so the men can live and not die, and also keep away from alcohol and drugs”.
She reminded the nation of the critical position men occupy in society as the “seed carriers” who propagate generations, and warned against the drinking of illicit brews that result in men losing their vigor for siring children.
“Alcohol and drug abuse does not choose religion. We have very serious addictions, in all religions, and across races. Drug addiction is in all homes, among the poor and the rich. This is a demon traversing all boundaries ravaging our children and communities. Many mothers and fathers are troubled, and we must do something about it,” said Pastor Dorcas.
She also cautioned on the increasing number of widows in the country, where homes are manned by women, as men lose their lives from accidents caused by drunk driving.
“Alcohol and drug abuse will directly affect one who is not drunk and intoxicated. When a driver of a matatu, bus or private car meets with one who is drunk and driving, they are a danger to you, your family, and the children they carry in school buses. And in our nation, many accidents have happened and many have died. Sadly, the number of persons with disabilities are increasing, and also the number of widows,” said Pastor Dorcas.
She said that together with all stakeholders and like-minded partners the vice of addiction must be combated.
NACADA officials led by Eastern Region Regional Manager Alex Njeru informed the students and clergy on the emerging trends in drug abuse and ways of handling those in addictions during rehabilitation, post-rehabilitation, and even caring for those who relapse.
“Kenyans have a habit of binge drinking ‘chafua meza’ , a situation where alcoholic drinks line a table. However, these kinds of leisure activities that involve addictive substances result in increased family problems, malnutrition, and cancer of the mouth, stomach, and throat among others,” warned Mr Njeru.
Denis Kinyua, a beneficiary of the boy child program, who was rehabilitated under the Embu cohort shared about his journey in addictions, and how the rehabilitation program under Pastor Dorcas changed his life, and was now working in a supermarket alcohol and drug free.
Counselling Psychologist Fred Osoro reminded the students of the skills and talents they were endowed with, including knowledge gained in school for their advancement in life. He warned the students about the dangers of drugs in their quest for productivity and success.
Also present were DCC David Rotich, Association for Pentecostal and Evangelical Clergy of Kenya (APECK) Chairman, Machakos County Bishop Charles Kababu, National Chair United Clergy Alliance Bishop Francis Mulinge, APECK Regional Director Lower Eastern Bishop Joel Nzomo, APECK Regional Director Mount Kenya Bishop Barnabas Mpekethi, and APECK National Chairman Rev Fredrick Ngugi.
“The youth of this country are important and precious assets that need to be protected and nurtured so they become useful in the future,” said DCC Rotich.
Bishop Nzomo said the majority of choir members in churches were of the female gender, and even when installing elders, men were still missing. He appreciated Pastor Dorcas for bringing the Boy Child Rehabilitation program to the Eastern Region, and urged the clergy present to embrace the vision and start community rehabilitation in their churches.
In the forum, it was discussed that alcohol, drug, and substance menace was a public health issue that needed the intervention and response of all sectors that include educationists, health experts, and the religious leaders.
Machakos University Vice Chancellor Prof. Joyce Agalo warned that the effects of addictions result to student drop-outs, abusive relationships, poor health, constrained family relationships, low academic performance, loss of future opportunities, loss of self-identity, and even suicide.
However, the university had established support systems for students that included counselling, peer counsellors, an office for career services, continued education and awareness, and equipped labs to encourage innovation and save a generation. She urged youth to reflect on their lives, and focus on their life goals.
Success stories of inpatient and outpatient community-based rehabilitation in other parts of the country, including the Coast, Rift Valley, and Central were shared to guide and encourage the thousands of clergy to join in the fight against alcohol and drugs and rescue boys and men.
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