Nacada: Clergy must lead addiction fight

NACADA impounds over 7,000 litres of illicit alcohol in Kakamega. [Benard Lusigi, Standard] Drug and alcohol abuse are on the rise in Mombasa and Nairobi, the director of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has said. The director, Fredrick Ngugi, yesterday called on religious leaders to take a leading role in rehabilitating drug addicts across the country. He said it was sad that most religious organisations overlook the drug menace that has turned most youths in the country into unproductive zombies. Mr Ngugi said drug abuse remains a worrying challenge in Kenya, adding that some addicts who are unable to access rehabilitation are dying from self-inflicted injuries. Ngugi urged clergy to "live up to expectations" by personally taking responsibility for rehabilitating at least one addict and helping them access rehabilitation. He spoke at the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Mombasa Memorial Cathedral during a harvest festival thanksgiving service for the Mombasa International Show. "We have about 3.5 million youths aged between 15 and 24 years addicted to drugs and alcohol who need help from all Kenyans, including religious leaders from all walks of life," he said. He noted that many young people are addicted to marijuana, alcohol, miraa, and other substances but often fail to admit their condition. This, he said, made it essential for the clergy to join the fight against drug abuse in collaboration with NACADA. Ngugi encouraged church leaders not to ignore addicts living on the streets. "Let us not only offer prayers but take action by identifying addicts and ensuring they get rehabilitated," he said, adding that he had personally rescued and rehabilitated several addicts in Mombasa, many of whom had vowed never to return to drugs.Bishop Calls for Boost in Food Production Delivering the sermon, Bishop Mwaro Baya urged the government to address food security by supporting farmers to increase production. He lamented that over 50 years after independence, farmers still face the same challenges they did in 1963. Bishop Baya noted a decline in food production in some areas due to a lack of government support and poor market prices for produce. "Agriculture is not rewarding, and that is why some farmers have abandoned it," he said.Mombasa International Show Kicks Off Mombasa International Show branch chairman, Henry Nyaga, announced that this year's event would feature over 200 exhibitors, including newcomers from China, Argentina, Ghana, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Botswana. Local first-time participants include Kipchimchim Group, the Office of the Auditor-General, Kenya Sugar Board, Dola Group, Mombasa Cement, and Inchcape Kenya. Entry fees will be Sh350 for adults, Sh300 for children, and Sh250 for groups of 10 or more children. The show will run from Wednesday to Sunday.

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