Stakeholders raise the alarm over rampant drug abuse snaring youth

The Youth Against Drug Abuse (Yada) organisation has launched a programme to address the plight of victims, even as it urged other stakeholders who include security personnel and rehabilitation centres to play their part. [iStockphoto]

Various stakeholders in Meru County have raised concerns over drug abuse prevalence amongst the youth.

According to James Kinyua, a campaigner against drug abuse, drug trafficking in the county has increased because security checks are not effective.

"Just as foreigners sneak into the country through the Marsabit route, drugs are also easily trafficked in and we are asking security forces to be more vigilant, in view of the fact that the youth are at risk," said Murithi.

The Youth Against Drug Abuse (Yada) organisation has launched a programme to address the plight of victims, even as it urged other stakeholders who include security personnel and rehabilitation centres to play their part.

Yada president Dennis Kiama, who is a prison officer at GK Meru prison, said interventions by the organisation were mainly education of youth on the perils of falling prey to peddlers whose sole motivation was making a financial killing.

Mr Kiama, himself a reformed drug addict, has launched a sensitisation campaign targeting young people including those in learning institutions.

Speaking at Mwanganthia in Central Imenti Sub-county during his campaign, Kiama told of the suffering he endured and pain he had caused his family and friends as a result of indulging in drugs.

"Drug abuse affects your entire life; work, relationships and health. Having survived it myself, I made it my responsibility to reach as many youths as possible to preach about its harmful effects," said Kiama.