Vihiga County government and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in the fight against alcohol and substance abuse across the county.
The commitment was made during a consultative meeting held at the office of the Chief Officer for Public Service, bringing together officials from NACADA and the County Government to explore areas of partnership aimed at enhancing prevention, sensitisation, rehabilitation and enforcement efforts.
The NACADA delegation was led by Vihiga and Kakamega County Coordinator Eunice Anubia, while the county team was headed by Chief Officer for Public Service Philip Gavuna.
The meeting comes as NACADA conducts a five-day Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ADA) sensitisation caravan across all sub-counties in Vihiga. The campaign, which was flagged off earlier this week by Vihiga Deputy County Commissioner Linet Orina, seeks to raise awareness on the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse, promote the toll-free helpline 1192, facilitate referrals for counselling and treatment services, and collect community feedback on prevention programmes.
Speaking during the meeting, Anubia said alcohol and drug abuse remain major challenges affecting individuals, families, schools and communities in the county. She emphasized the need for increased investment in rehabilitation and treatment facilities, noting that demand for addiction recovery services continues to rise.
“Expanding access to rehabilitation and treatment programmes is critical in addressing the growing burden of substance abuse and supporting recovery among affected individuals,” she said.
Anubia commended the County Government and enforcement agencies for supporting alcohol and drug control measures, saying coordinated efforts have yielded positive results in communities and learning institutions.
She called for continued collaboration in awareness campaigns and public engagement forums, noting that partnerships would be crucial in the commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and other outreach activities planned during the year.
Chief Officer for Public Service Philip Gavuna lauded NACADA for its sustained efforts in creating awareness and reducing the prevalence of alcohol and substance abuse among residents. He reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment to supporting interventions aimed at promoting healthy and productive communities.
“The fight against alcohol and substance abuse requires a multisectoral approach involving government agencies, community leaders, educational institutions, faith-based organisations and development partners,” said Gavuna.
The meeting also explored opportunities for joint planning and implementation of future programmes, with both teams expressing the need for sustained partnerships to enhance resource utilisation and improve service delivery.
In support of the ongoing sensitisation campaign, officials from the County Alcoholic Drinks Control Directorate joined NACADA teams in field activities aimed at strengthening community awareness on the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse and promoting access to support services.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the strengthened partnership between NACADA and the County Government would contribute significantly to reducing substance abuse, improving public health outcomes and enhancing the well-being of residents across Vihiga County.
Also present at the meeting were Director of Alcoholic Drinks Control Gilbert Kai, Administrator for Alcoholic Drinks Control Allan Mutange, Alcoholic Drinks Control Fund Administrator George Omusulu and members of the County Communication Team.
By Kelly Barasa and Ann Achieng
