NACADA says drug addiction a moral weakness

Written By:Carol Gakii/Hallygan Agade,    Posted: Tue, Mar 20, 2012

The finding indicates that drugs and substance abuse is a phenomenon that has continued to rear its ugly head even at the work places The National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Authority (NACADA) says drugs and substance abuse is to blame for the rising death toll from road accidents involving Public Service Vehicles. NACADA chairman Dr.Frank Njenga says employers and other stakeholders in the industry should monitor their employees to curb drug abuse in the industry. Dr. Njenga further said there is also need for the stakeholders to hold regular forums to sensitize the drivers, touts and other individuals in the industry on the dangers of drug and substance abuse. At the same time Dr. Njenga called on the government and the private sector to establish more rehabilitation centers across the county to deal with the growing numbers of Kenyans abusing drugs. Meanwhile, the findings of a NACADA commissioned study of 2010 shows that alcohol and drug abuse is no longer a problem of the unemployed and un-educated but a problem that affects all persons. The finding indicates that drugs and substance abuse is a phenomenon that has continued to rear its ugly head even at the work places. "The manifestation of drug abuse is all around us -in homes, media, entertainment joints, athe workplace and in learning institutions." The vice has permeated the workforce thereby affecting the health, safety, productivity and performance of employees. This has slowed the country's socio-economic development." With the current usage of alcohol at the work places ranging from a high of 68% to a low of 27%.The consumption of tobacco products ranged between 16pc to 37pc while about 20 pc of surveyed employees are classified as problem drinkers. But   to deal with this problem Dr.Frank Njenga during a consultative meeting with private sector CEO's on alcohol and drug abuse, encouraged them to monitor their addicted employees more closely to help them. However the addicts' numbers are rising and Njenga is a worried man because the rehabilitation centers are overwhelmed. He however says that the country must deal with the problem in an intellectual manner and avail monetary resources like in the US and Spain.