Denial sinking Nyanza into drugs as leaders look the other way

Nyanza region is fast sinking into drug abuse, with experts saying denial is the major impediment to fighting against the vice.

According to the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada), Nyanza residents have shied away from fighting the menace, hence hiding its impact in the area.

In a Nacada report compiled between October 2013 and March 2014, a total of 456,410 litres of illicit brew were impounded in Migori alone and another 336,019 litres in Kisii.

Migori County was adversely mentioned as also having rampant cases of bhang smuggling, especially along the porous Kenya-Tanzania border, with children allegedly being used by cartels to help in the business.

Nacada has now expressed concern over the increasing number of cases of drug addiction in the region with little intervention from leaders or churches.

Increasing addiction

Speaking during the Kenya Certification Education Programme for Addiction Professionals held in Kisumu over the weekend, the agency officials quoted denial as the major challenge in dealing with increasing number of addictions.

"Leaders must join campaigns to preach against drug abuse in Nyanza, instead of hiding cases of death or ailments caused as a result of drug abuse," said Nacada Regulatory Service Manager George Murimi.