Madam Speaker, we’re staring at a problem of magnificent proportions. The recent report released by @NACADAKenya indicates that there are increased cases of drug and substance abuse in this country. –
I am aware that under Schedule 4 of the Constitution, the issue of control of drugs is left for the county governments but there is no part of this country that is not a county.
Therefore, we need to take up this particular problem and address it. The statistics that were released by @NACADAKenya in December 2022 are very shocking
It says that one out of every 11 youth, aged between 15-24 years were currently using at least one drug or substance of abuse.
It also says that one in every 5 youth aged between 25-35 years were currently using at least one drug of substance abuse.
It also says that one in every 3 Kenyans aged between 13-65 yrs, translating to a population of 8 million people had minimal depressive disorders. Drug and substance abuse has wrecked families. –
It also says that one in every 3 Kenyans aged between 13-65 yrs, translating to a population of 8 million people had minimal depressive disorders. Drug and substance abuse has wrecked families.
Children have been left destitute owing to consumption of drugs specifically alcohol, cocaine, cannabis sativa and heroine
Madam Speaker, unless and until this problem is addressed, we’re staring at a very bleak future. Jobs have been lost because of excessive consumption of drugs.
In the recent report by NACADA, one of its purposes was to ensure that rehabilitation centres are created so that people who have these substance use disorders are not treated like criminals but are treated like victims who have a mental health disease who need to actually be attended to. If we look at the statistics of rehabilitation centres in this country, we find that only five rehabilitation centres are run by the government of Kenya.
90% of the rehabilitation centres are run by Faith-Based Organizations and other private entities. It is the role of government by creation by NACADA, which has been given a role to carry sensitization, advocacy to ensure that not almost half of our population is imbibing drugs.
Video: National Assembly motion:
~ John Makali, MP Kanduyi Constituency ~
