Alcohol, Drugs and Substance Abuse

I am impressed with the move by his Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta to fight drugs and alcohol abuse in Kenya. It is about time
that someone has to be hold accountable for all the lost lives and troubled families.

It is a pity that, drugs and substance abuse is taking place in our secondary schools. According to a research conducted by the University Of Nairobi Department Of Psychiatry; alcohol, tobacco, khat and bhang are the most commonly used substance among secondary school students. The prevalence rates stand at 5.2%, 3.8%, and 3.2% and1.7% respectively.

What moved me tears was a cry by a certain parent. For this piece we shall call him James and his two sons shall be Julius and George. James lost his first born son, Julius to drug abuse. When it all began, James was not aware but with time Julius’ behaviour changed drastically. Despite begin a bright student, it got to a time whereby Julius lost interest in education and even left school. Julius almost lost it, he took to the streets whereby his father was able to get hold of him (Julius) and take him to Mathare hospital. This is where Julius met is death in unexplained manner when still under medication.

James had tried all ways possible to rehabilitate his son so as to save him but the efforts bore no fruits. The death of Julius was hard on James and it was made worse by the fact that the previous year, James had lost his wife. He had to bear the burden alone. James is currently facing another challenge because, George in following in his brothers footsteps. He is now at the stage where he has no interest in education. James has no idea what will happen to his son. Just as he was there for Julius he is also there for George. I hope for the best for James, this is a hard time for him. May God be with him and his son.

This is just one story of a family ruined by drug abuse. So many parents out there are mourning while others continue to have sleepless nights. Do not distance yourself from the issue because you are not affected directly. Let us be our brother’s keeper by shunning away those providing the drugs to the students, let’s report those who ignore the “Mututho laws” and also let us be there for those who need rehabilitation. Every wasted or lost life is a loss to the whole country. We can stop this menace, it starts with you. Our president has simply shown us the way, let us follow suit.

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