The government has heightened the war against drug and substance abuse in Marsabit County.
County Commissioner James Kamau, said stringent measures to stop infiltration and sale of the illegal merchandise have been set up and warned those still determined to indulge in the practice of dire consequences.
Speaking at his office when he flagged off an anti-drug and substance abuse awareness campaign caravan organized by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA), Mr Kamau called for the support from the residents so as to end the vice.
The county commissioner who was accompanied by the county security team said security agencies were now proactive which has enabled them to beat peddlers in their attempts to shift and devise new methods in trafficking drugs and second-generation alcoholic drinks.
He called on the youths not to indulge in the outlawed practices and those out of school to seek financial grants from government established entities like Uwezo, Hustler fund and Youth enterprise fund to start income generating activities that would enable them to transform their lives.
The administrator said the five-day sensitization campaign will cover Marsabit Central, Turbi, Sololo and Moyale sub-counties aimed at equipping the communities with knowledge and resources to discontinue addiction.
Mr Kamau noted that the fight was experiencing a big challenge because Marsabit County borders Ethiopia which produces bhang with drug dealers finding it easy to sneak it into the country.
The county commissioner however assured the residents and the country that Marsabit County, its porous border with the neighbouring country notwithstanding, will not deter security agencies and stakeholders from winning the war against drugs and other substances.
“We are also urging every person who takes alcohol to drink responsibly and take only certified drinks,” he advised.
NACADA Marsabit county coordinator Mohamed Wako said the agency was concerned about the growing drug and substance abuse particularly of bhang and miraa among the youth.
Mr Wako added that NACADA was teaming up with national government administrative organs to wage the war against the vice by creating awareness and stopping peddlers in their tracks.
He expressed concern that there were signs of the influence creeping into schools where youngsters in both secondary and primary schools were targets.
To this end, the coordinator disclosed that NACADA was planning an elaborate program for learning institutions in the region to educate the schooling communities on the dangers of indulging in drug and substance abuse.
He pointed out that so many young people were inclining towards miraa and bhang use because it was being sold at low and affordable prices like Sh50 per roll or at times less.
According to Mr Wako, peer influence and readily available contrabands was a big headache to the authorities and urged that peddlers be reported to the police and other relevant authorities for action.
“You see youths are luring each other into doing it out of peer pressure” he pointed out adding that the campaign was also aimed at enabling them to make independent decisions instead of joining the bandwagon of an issue simply because everybody is in it.
He at the same time acknowledged the success made in eradicating the brewing and consumption of illicit and adulterated liquor.
Wako commended the law enforcement agents in the county for curtailing the illegal trade which he said was a big win in the fight against the vice.
By Sebastian Miriti
