KENYA: CUEA in 5KM walk to Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) on Saturday 20th
participated in a 5 km walk that aimed at sensitizing people on the effects of
Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ADA).
participated 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).
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.
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
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.
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.
(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
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.
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.
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
