Eldoret: 50% abusing Alcohol
Health experts in Uasin Gishu County have cautioned against Alcoholism and drug abuse prevalence with at least 50 percent of the residents reportedly abusing alcohol.
Research conducted by Moi Teaching and Referral hospital has revealed that the medical sector, judiciary and the banking sector are some of the hardest hit with cases of alcoholism and drug abuse,
“Sometimes it might be because of the nature of work, buildup of stress levels people think that by resulting in abusing such substances to reduce stress and anxiety, which is not true” noted MTRH CEO Dr. Wilson K. Aruasa during the International day against alcoholism and drug abuse.
Dr Aruasa observed that families have broken down and crimes bolstered by alcohol and drug abuse in the country.
“in the community there are a lot cases of crime attributed to use of drugs and alcohol,at the workplace we have lateness and absenteeism, when a person is taken to the rehabilitation centre for a 100 days it will definitely affect the work place”Opined the CEO
The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital has a 42 bed facility to rehabilitate alcoholics and drug addicts.
Dr. Chelagat Saina, in charge of the mental health department at the facility said the research also shows that alcoholism is over 50 percent in Uasin Gishu County followed by drug and substance abuse and tobacco use.
Dr Chelagat Observed the increasing trend of the abuse of prescription drugs
“Studies done here in Uasin Gishu, established many people abuse Alcohol to a level of 50 percent followed by tobacco use ,cannabis sativa , lately we are noticing a lot of prescription drugs being abused such as opioids,anti-histamine,painkillers now standing at 20 percent” Said Dr Saina
Health workers were at a higher risk of abusing prescription drugs due to the ease of access compared to the general Public.
A few days ago MTRH staff saved the life of medical officer who had injected herself with ketamine. It has not yet been established where the medical officer had obtained the drug.
(Ketamine is a medication that doctors use as an anesthetic to induce loss of consciousness. Effects include sedation and pain relief.
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