Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi has emphasized the importance of adopting a collaborative, multi-dimensional approach to effectively address drug and substance abuse among the youth in the region.
Oyagi stressed that relying solely on crackdowns to tackle the issue would not yield effective results, highlighting the need for a broader strategy that includes sensitization to address the negative trend, which is also a security concern.
“Focusing only on enforcement measures limits the impact. A comprehensive approach is crucial to reversing this worrying trend, especially among the youth,” he said during the flag-off ceremony for the National Prevention Week in Kitale.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) is leading the week-long campaign to engage local communities in Trans Nzoia, aiming to raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse.
Trizah Mwangi, a representative from NACADA, outlined the campaign's objectives, which focus on educating residents about practical strategies to combat the increasing issue of drug and substance abuse.
“This campaign is designed to educate the public about the serious and far-reaching consequences of drug and substance abuse, with a special focus on its devastating impact on the youth,” Ms. Mwangi explained.
She emphasized the importance of such educational efforts, stating that by raising awareness, the goal is to equip individuals and communities with the knowledge they need to prevent the spread of this harmful issue.
Recent studies on substance use reveal that alcohol is the most commonly used substance among university students, with 87.3% of respondents reporting its availability.