NACADA launces Substance Use Prevention Week in West Pokot

NACADA joined community members in Makutano Town for a procession to mark their annual Substance Use Prevention Week celebration.

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse on Tuesday joined stakeholders and community members in Makutano town, Kapenguria, to celebrate National Substance Use Prevention Week.

This year’s Prevention Week is being marked under the theme “Empowered Communities, Brighter Future”, underscoring the need for collective responsibility in addressing drugs and substance abuse across the country.

The event marks NACADA’s third annual Prevention Week celebration, with a strong call for partnerships between national and county governments, community leaders, civil society and the public.

At the event, area NACADA county coordinator Scola Komen emphasised that combating alcohol and drug abuse requires coordinated efforts, noting that public education, awareness creation and research remain core mandates of the authority.

Findings from NACADA’s research indicate that substance abuse remains a significant national challenge affecting all segments of society.

According to surveys conducted by NACADA, substance use begins at alarmingly young ages.

A secondary school survey carried out in 2016 prompted further research among primary school learners in 2018, revealing cases of alcohol use among children as young as seven years old.

Additionally, a national survey conducted in 2022 confirmed that alcohol and drug abuse is a widespread problem affecting communities across the country.

Statistics available on NACADA’s website show that approximately 4.1 million Kenyans have used alcohol or other drugs at some point in their lives, while an estimated 1.3 to 1.4 million youths are currently affected.

These figures highlight the scale of the crisis and informed the declaration of alcohol and drug abuse as a national emergency by President William Ruto during his end-year address.

The Prevention Week activities in West Pokot began earlier in February with media engagements and a roadshow in upper West Pokot to mobilise the public.

The Makutano event officially launched the week’s activities, with a strong emphasis on prevention as the most effective solution.

Komen outlined several prevention programmes currently being implemented, including family-based, school-based, workplace and community-based initiatives, acknowledging that substance abuse affects all socio-economic sectors.

Schools were identified as critical platforms for prevention, with students playing a key role in spreading awareness and promoting healthy lifestyles.

She also urged community members to support individuals struggling with addiction by guiding them to treatment and rehabilitation services.

“West Pokot county faces a major challenge due to the lack of rehabilitation facilities, including private centres. Therefore, NACADA is working with the national government, religious leaders and local stakeholders to promote community-based rehabilitation models, which are affordable and accessible,” she noted.

The celebrations also recognised individuals who have successfully completed rehabilitation and are living alcohol-free lives, serving as proof that recovery is possible and that life without substance use leads to a healthy and more productive lifestyle.

As part of the week’s programme, NACADA will conduct school outreach activities at Mnagei Secondary School and Makutano, alongside community barazas scheduled for Friday in high-risk areas such as Aramaket and Mawingo Road.

These engagements aim to reach vulnerable populations and reinforce the message that prevention starts with every individual.

She urged the general public to turn up in large numbers to work together to fight this menace by visiting NACADA offices or reporting them using the toll-free line of 1192.

Area deputy county commissioner Elijah Omoyo commended the courageous efforts NACADA was making in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse, noting that the initiative is part of a broader partnership under the Ministry of Interior and National Administration.

“This menace is a challenge within our county too like other parts of the country. Collaboration is key among stakeholders on how to curb and lower the statistics significantly,” he added.

He issued a stern warning to drug and alcohol peddlers, cautioning tha they would face the full force of the law.

Recently the Rift Valley regional security team launched a joint operation aimed at curbing the production, distribution and consumption of illicit brew across the region.

West Pokot AMPATH representative John Baraza pledged to work closely with NACADA and the Ministry of Health to ensure that affected youth adhere to prescribed ARVs, instead of resorting to unapproved and harmful substances that contribute to drug abuse.

Sammy Sikuku, the county drugs, substance abuse and tobacco control head from the department of Health, underscored that his department offers supportive programmes like health education and sensitisation which are critical in reducing the morbidity, mortality and socioeconomic burdens associated with addictive substances.

He noted that on the matter of treatment and rehabilitation of those affected, the county hospitals offer management services and referrals to rehabilitation centres available.