NACADA Wester Region Leads in Alcohol Consumption and Mental Health-NACADA

Western Region is leading in Alcohol Consumption and Mental Health, National Campaign Against Drug Abuse ( NACADA) Regional Manager- Western Sarah Koske has revealed.

Speaking during the commemoration of the International Day Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse at Malaba Township Primary School today ( Wednesday), Koske said the latest research that was carried out in 2022 puts the region in the lead with 23 percent out of eight.

” The region has overtaken Central Region, which led in 2017’s research. We have taken the cup; it’s here with us. What are we going to do with the cup. Do we celebrate? She asked.

To make matters worse, Western Region is leading in chang’aa consumption and traditional brew (busaa), an indication that we have taken all the cups!

She added: ” In the next three years, when the next research will be conducted, we need to wake up and work together to reverse this embarrassing scenario. Taking children to school is a problem, and so, is running families.”

Mental Health, which is also leading in the region, is mainly caused by excessive drinking of alcohol and drugs and substance abuse. This problem needs concerted efforts as Busia County and the region as a whole.

Ms. Koske said counties in the region need to put their heads together, noting that prevention starts at home. She also revealed that NACADA office has been set up in Busia with Ken Marau appointed county coordinator, adding that the office will work with the county government, civil societies, and director of alcohol.

Marau said the setting up of NACADA office in Busia is the greatest milestone whose main focus is on prevention to make Kenya a free drug nation.

Malaba Municipality Manager Francis Asoyong thanked NACADA for choosing Malaba to host this year’s International Day Against Alcohol and Drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

The manager said the venue of the event was timely, considering that the town is a porous border and the gateway to East and Central Africa.

Amagoro Assistant County Commissioner Titus Kosgei said it’s a true fact that national administration destroys 500 litres of illicit liquor per day in Teso North Sub County, adding that Changaa, and Kangara leads in Teso North.

St. Thomas Amagoro Archdeacon Rev. Ben Oriama urged parents to give guidance to their children and their role models to discourage them in engaging in alcohol and drugs and substance abuse.

George Samson Ogwe from civil society organization urged the youth to engage in positive things instead of falling victims to illicit drinks and drug abuse.

Pastor David Elungata narrated that he was an addict alchol drinker at a tender age of 13 years owing to peer pressure, and engaging in drug abuse before he abandoned the bad habit to become born again for the last 23 years.

CECM for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives Olakachuna Omuse, who was the chief guest, said the county government has already submitted tenders to complete the construction of rehabilitation centre in Butula in the coming financial year.

Others present included CECMs Olung’a Ekwenye ( Culture and Sports), Douglas Okiring ( Strategic Partnerships, and ICT), Equity Malaba Branch Manager Godfrey Mwembe and principals of KMTC Teso, Bungoma, Webuye, Chwele campuses and Malaba Tonwship Primary School Headteacher Linet Anyang.