Alcohol, drug abuse a national security issue – County Commissioner

Dr. Toro alongside Kisumu County Commissioner. Photo/LM

News
Tools
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

By Jabali Media

Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo has described alcohol and drug abuse as a serious national security issue, calling on stakeholders to join forces against the menace.  

Speaking in Kisumu on Thursday during the third and last day of a forum organized by stakeholders to sensitize members of the public against drug and substance abuse, Leparmorijo said many Kenyans are exposed to the use of harmful substances.

“And now it has gone to an extent of becoming a serious national security issue, because when life is destroyed, when we lose Kenyans because of irresponsible use of alcohol and these other drugs, then it now becomes a national security issue,” he said.

He urged social joints selling alcohol to operate within the law, which directs that the joints are operated from 5pm to 11pm.

“Sometimes you find some of them operating as early as 8am, some of which are not even restaurants. That is against the law,” he warned, adding that alcohol should not be sold to anyone below 18 years, under any circumstance.

He wondered why some joints sell alcohol to an already intoxicated person.

“You should not sell to an already intoxicated person. Even if it is business, let us do business with a human face because you want that customer tomorrow. If you destroy him/her in a day, where will you get him or her tomorrow?”

Dr. Andrew Toro, the Head of drug and substance abuse control at the Ministry of Health said the forum saw stakeholders from different walks of life including the judiciary and health sectors from Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Homabay, Kisumu and Siaya attend, with rich sensitization against drug abuse being carried out.

Drug and substance abuse, Dr Toro said, has far reaching consequences, insisting on the need to curb the danger.

“A lot of our people are now in hospitals suffering from illnesses which have emanated from some of these drugs. We are talking about cancer, chronic non-communicable diseases, diabetes and hypertension. A lot of boda boda accidents have been attributed to substance and alcohol abuse,” he stated.

From Kisumu, Toro said, the campaign against drug and substance abuse heads to the coastal region.

The event was attended by officials from the county government of Kisumu, NACADA and the Tobacco Control board among other sector players.