Kindiki supports efforts to fight substance abuse

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki flanked by Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan Noor (right) during a a past meeting in Laikipia. [Phoebe Okall, Standard]

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has said alcohol and drug abuse pose a threat to national security.

Speaking during an inspection tour of the Ihururu Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Tetu constituency, Nyeri county, Prof Kindiki called for concerted efforts to eliminate drug and substance abuse across the country.

The CS said drug abuse ranks third after terrorism and armed banditry as a threat to national security and assured of the ministry's commitment to address the issues.

"We cannot overlook the impact that substance and drug abuse has on our society. We must focus on eliminating drugs to safeguard our national security," he said.

Kindiki announced that his ministry is collaborating with the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) and county governments to strengthen the collective fight against drugs and substance abuse in a bid to expand treatment and rehabilitation services.

"We shall work closely with county governments to see to it that such facilities are established in all the 47 counties," he said.

"We have brought legislation to strengthen Nacada. We want to destroy the supply chain, the manufacture of drugs and alcohol, as much as we are dealing with the demand for it," the CS added.