By Maore Ithula
An expert at the National Agency for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse Authority (Nacada) says abuse of hard drugs is most rampant in the Coast because of several factors.
A poorly policed maritime border, stretching almost 700 kilometres, is an easy access route for illicit trade that includes smuggling in narcotic drugs.
Mr Zeka Wekesa, Nacada’s documentation manager, says loads of illicit drugs come in by sea. Ships carrying the illicit cargoes anchor in the high seas and then drugs are unloaded and ferried to the shores aboard speedboats.
He says narcotics are sometimes shipped into the country concealed as legitimate cargo like electronics and motor vehicle components, among others.
The illegal shipments are later repackaged in private warehouses for onward trafficking or distribution.
Wekesa says: "The Anti-Narcotics Police Unit has been considerably watered down leaving gaping routes for the trade."
NACADA ranks consumption of cannabis sativa (bhang) as the most popular illicit drug in the coast followed by heroin.
There are some fundamental issues that drive youths at the Coast into drugs, Wekesa says. These are, availability of the substances, entrapment and the tourism industry.
Peer pressure
He elaborates: "Youths are lured into drug abuse by peer groups and influence. Peddlers hang around entertainment joints and beaches. They offer free samples and since the drugs are highly addictive those who take the bait soon start playing ball. And it is believed that tourism brought drug taking culture to the area."
Nacada is generally mandated to coordinate public awareness campaigns on alcohol and drug abuse.
Consequently, the authority is restricted to reduction of drug abuse while the criminal justice system (the Police, Judiciary, Provincial Administration, and the Customs among other departments) are expected to suppress supply.
