By Armstrong Rono
The widespread poverty and unemployment in Kenya is fuelling alcohol and drug abuse among the youth. Seeking oblivion through substances has become a tempting route to youth who see no prospect of ever getting a decent job. The Kenyatta administration should create jobs.
Substance abuse poses a serious threat to public health, safety and well being of citizens and national security. It undermines the socio-economic and political stability and sustainable development. The youth are change agents and crucial assets in the development of human capital.
Lack of money and poverty leads to certain attitudes, behaviors and life conditions that contribute to substance abuse.
Clean needles
Research indicates that there is a strong correlation between poverty, social exclusion and problematic drug use.
The unemployed and early school leavers have a higher rate of substance abuse than those who do not fit into these categories.
Several risk factors are linked with substance abuse: weak parental control, childhood experiences, genes, mental illness and psychological factors including poverty.
Of course the rich may exemplify these risk factors. Sadly, poor people become fixed in the lifestyle that often includes contact with police, imprisonment, and poor health outcomes. And those who suffer from poverty and substance abuse cannot afford the prohibitive rehabilitation fees.
A person who has money can afford to ‘keep walking’ or can choose their substance of addiction. They can afford alcohol that is of superior quality or drugs that are purer and access clean needles, which decrease the risk of infection. The penniless have no choice but to take adulterated, toxic liquor.
Broke and traumatised youth use drugs to ‘kill boredom’. And these drugs prompt them to behave peculiarly and do things they would not do in their right senses. They can even kill.
By the time most users get about thirty years old, they are lifeless from effects of drugs.
Unless we act now, the Vision 2030 is a mirage. Our work to achieve the MDGs and fight drugs must go hand in hand. We need to build an economy based on manufacturing industry and create millions of more sustainable jobs to be able to resolve the issue of substance abuse.
The Kenyatta government should generate and support policies that allow citizens to achieve their goals in life; create employment, promote education, health, individual growth opportunities, financial security, investment in human resources and distribution of common citizen wealth. These policies can diminish social costs of escaping poverty and lack of opportunity through drugs.
Indeed Nacada is currently doing an impressive job in curbing substance abuse but they would fail if the problems of unemployment and poverty were not addressed. We must continue to invest in prevention, research, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts and make these services more effective and affordable.
As well as investigations, interdiction, prosecutions and international programs to reduce supply of drugs.
The president should mercilessly crackdown on big-money drug barons and catch drug smugglers in the act. As president, you should not preside over a conspiracy of neglect and silence as our youth become zombies.
Please bring all the power and prestige of your office to a renewed fight against drugs. Together a president and nation can take a stand and make a difference.
We need to offer hope to our youth so that we wean them from practices that promise short-term escape. In countries like Japan, where family policies are solid, the family remains the primary safety net and socializing agency; unemployment is low, the drug problem is low. We need to strengthen our family systems.
The first lady and deputy president’s wife could visit schools across the country and addiction treatment facilities, seeking every opportunity to promote an antidrug generation.
They will be able to see for themselves broken dreams and families and lost lives. They can help save a generation and help preserve its promise and hope.
I know the fight would not be easy, but we cannot afford to lose. We are fighting for the lives of our children and future of Kenya.
The writer is a drug addiction consultant and Chairman, Kenya Association of Addiction Counselors.
