Kiambu County joined the world in marking International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADA) 2025 at Karuri Medical Training Center (KMTC) .
The fete attended by officials from the County government and others from local Community based organizations raise awareness on drug abuse prevention and support mechanism to those affected directly or indirectly by the addiction menace.
Themed “Break the Chains: Prevention, Treatment, Recovery,” the celebration was spearheaded by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) Kiambu/Murang’a office, Kiambu County Government through the Alcohol and Drug Control Agency (ADCA) Board, the Kiambu Anti-Alcohol and Drug Abuse Coalition (KAADAC), and partner organizations including Recovery Coaches community based organizations and Uhai Kenya, an NGO.
Speaking at the event, Wilfred Mbogo, Kiambu County ADCA Coordinator said that there is an importance of a unified approach in combating drug and substance abuse, particularly among youth.
“Our focus is not just on enforcement, but also education, psychosocial support, and reintegration,” He said
He added that the county is committed to scaling up prevention campaigns, rehabilitative support, and policy enforcement to curb rising addiction trends.
Lydia Wambui, chairperson of KAADAC said that in order to amplify the impacts of the event, various booths were set up around the KMTC grounds, offering free counselling services, educational materials and one on one guidance sessions with Recovery sessions.
“We must start early in educating our youth that drug abuse is not a lifestyle, but a trap. Prevention is more powerful than rehabilitation,” she said
According to a 2022 report by NACADA on the trends of drug and alcohol abuse in the country One in every 6 Kenyans aged 15 – 65 years (4,733,152) were currently using at least one drug or substance of abuse.
With renewed commitment from government agencies, civil society, and grassroots organizations, the county continues to break the chains of addiction and champion a healthier, drug free future for its youth.
By Vivian Makungu
