Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in Kirinyaga County have been tasked with playing a greater role in the fight against illicit brews and drug abuse. The CHPs will create awareness and support efforts to rehabilitate people struggling with addiction. This initiative is part of the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) aimed at addressing alcohol and substance abuse in the county. Kirinyaga County Commissioner, Shufaa Omar Mwijuma, urged CHPs to join the campaign, leveraging their close contact with households across the county.
Commissioner Mwijuma emphasized that CHPs are strategically positioned to support the campaign due to their close interaction with communities. She encouraged them to educate residents on the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse and to encourage those affected by addiction to seek help and rehabilitation. The CHPs will connect the county with people affected by addiction, linking them with the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) for medical assessments and rehabilitation.
Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with various social and health challenges, including sexually transmitted infections and crime. Young children are among those vulnerable to abuse. Commissioner Mwijuma noted that CHPs will identify individuals affected by withdrawal symptoms, direct them to medical treatment facilities, and guide them to curative services to prevent loss of life in the fight against substance abuse.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) coordinator, Catherine Kimui, highlighted the link between Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases and drug and substance abuse in Kirinyaga. She noted that GBV, rape, and defilement have been directly linked to alcohol abuse. Kimui called for collective responsibility among CHPs, security agencies, businesses, and the wider community to prevent alcohol and drug abuse and support affected individuals.
Kimui emphasized the need for early intervention, counseling, and rehabilitation to address addiction. She requested CHPs to sensitize citizens using facts to demystify myths surrounding addiction. Kimui also asked them to recommend victims to accredited rehabilitation centers and encouraged them to call the NACADA toll-free number 1192 for assistance and counseling services.
Commissioner Mwijuma has been meeting with different stakeholders to build stronger collaboration among government agencies, health workers, security officers, businesses, and communities to address the growing challenge of illicit alcohol and substance abuse in Kirinyaga. The goal is to create a united front against the menace, leveraging the strengths of various stakeholders to support affected individuals and communities.
The initiative aims to address the growing concern of illicit liquor and drug abuse in Kirinyaga County. By working together, the county hopes to reduce the social and health challenges associated with excessive alcohol consumption and substance abuse. The CHPs will play a critical role in this effort, providing support and guidance to individuals affected by addiction and linking them with relevant services.
Key points
- Kirinyaga County Commissioner urges Community Health Promoters to create awareness and support rehabilitation efforts to combat illicit liquor and drug abuse.
- Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with various social and health challenges, including sexually transmitted infections and crime.
- The initiative aims to address the growing concern of illicit liquor and drug abuse in Kirinyaga County through collective responsibility and early intervention.
