The government has reached out to Community Health Promoters (CHPs) across Kirinyaga county to help fight illicit brew by creating awareness and supporting efforts to rehabilitate people struggling with alcohol addiction.
County Commissioner Shufaa Omar Mwijuma said CHPs are key stakeholders in the campaign due to their close access to communities.
She said they will provide the government with vital information to ensure those affected receive the appropriate support.
“The CHPs will be resourceful in this campaign as they will help identify those greatly affected by alcohol so that we can hand them over to NACADA for assistance. We will be able to know who should be rehabilitated, who needs counselling and who requires medication,” she said.
Speaking on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting that brought together the County Security Committee, Community Health Promoters and members of the business community in Mwea Town, Mwijuma reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fighting illicit liquor and substance abuse.
She said the ongoing county-wide campaign is being implemented under the Rapid Results Initiative, which aims to accelerate efforts to address alcohol and substance abuse.
“Alcoholism and the use of hard drugs have negative effects on society, contributing to the triple threat, including HIV/AIDS, as people may lose sound judgment, particularly on matters relating to sexual behaviour.”
She also attributed teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence to the harmful effects associated with excessive alcohol consumption and substance abuse.
She also expressed concern over cases of suicide among people affected by alcoholism, saying some had exhausted their savings on alcohol and resorted to taking their own lives after running out of money to sustain their drinking habits.
Additionally, the administrator said the government is relying on Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to educate residents on the dangers of hard drugs, amid concerns over their increasing use.
She noted that some drugs are being mixed with food and that dealers are increasingly using online platforms to market and sell the substances.
Mwijuma further noted that since September 28, security agencies have conducted 250 operations across the county to ensure compliance.
She said the operations had led to the seizure of 131 rolls of bhang and 29 litres of illicit liquor, locally known as “Makambo.”
Twenty-five people have also been arrested and arraigned in court over offences related to alcohol and hard drugs.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) coordinator, Catherine Kimui, called for collective responsibility among all stake holders to prevent alcohol and drug abuse and support affected individuals.
She said addiction is contributing to rising stress levels among affected individuals and families, underscoring the need for early intervention, counselling and rehabilitation.
Kimui also urged CHPs to refer affected persons to accredited rehabilitation centres and contact NACADA’s toll-free number, 1192, for assistance and counselling services.
