The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) on Saturday 20thparticipated in a 5 km walk that aimed at sensitizing people on the effects of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ADA).
Other institutions and organizations that participated in the walk include Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).
Over 1200 people took part in the walk, drawn from CUEA were staff members and students, while from TSC included Staff, Teachers and School pupils and Students.
The CUEA VC Msgr. Pius Rutechura flagged off the walk at 8.30 am at the Upper Hill School
Grounds in Nairobi.
According to CUEA VC, the Walk also aimed at raising funds to equip the existing rehabilitation centres with beds; establish rehabilitation units in Level 5 hospitals in the targeted counties, conduct ADA training programs in the workplace, train addiction Counsellors for the workplaces, generate ADA related Information, Education, Communication materials and carry out sensitization campaigns to award outstanding ADA champions.
In his speech the Msgr. Rutechura said that Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ADA) is an issue that is causing concerns to the parents, learning institutions, NGOs and leaders of all walks of life in the Kenyan society. “This practice has immensely contributed to indiscipline among learners, teachers and staff in our educational institutions. The cost and consequences of alcoholism and drug dependence place an enormous burden on the Kenyan society. Alcohol and Drug Abuse strains the economy, health care and criminal justice system. It also threatens job security, public safety, marital and family life,” he said.
He said that the findings from a National Survey on Alcohol and Drug Abuse conducted by
NACADA in 2012 shows that 13.3% of Kenyans are currently using alcohol, 9.1% tobacco, 1.0% bhang and 0.1% heroin. Further, the study revealed that drugs and substance abuse is a major social problem in Kenya with a complex cause and effect relationship. Cigarettes and bhang were identified as easily available cheap drugs while cocaine and heroin were identified as costly available drugs and a major direct cause of drug and substance abuse in Kenya. Further, the study established that young adults have the highest drug and substance abuse prevalence and that 50% of deaths from accidents, homicides and suicides involve alcohol or drug abuse. The study also showed that drugs and alcohol contribute to physical and sexual aggression such as assault or rape.
According to him, from the studies it is clear that alcohol and drug abuse affects the quality of life, productivity and learning. This justifies the partnership between Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) to sensitize stakeholders in education and the general public on alcohol and drug abuse.
Source: CUEA Press
