NACADA Under Fire Over Rehab Bias

By George Otieno

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse has come under for charging Ksh55,000 for male addicts in its rehabilitation centres countrywide.

University students and GenZ are up in arms against the authority for this biased action in Mombasa County.

Speaking in the County during the youth summit on effects of drug and substance abuse, the NACADA admitted to charging male victims, but not their female counterparts, thus drawing the criticisms.

Present GenZs termed the policy as not only discriminatory, but gender biased.

According to the university students drug abuse and addiction are rampant against the male child compared to the girl child hence more efforts should be on them.

“That policy should be reviewed immediately. Where do you expect young people to get that kind of money from in order to be cleaned?” they posed.

The youths blamed unemployment for increased drug addiction at the Coast region and security lapses at the Port of Mombasa where some drugs make their entry into the country.

Meanwhile, former Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo challenged the government to be steadfast in fighting the drug menace in the region.

Mr Mbogo, speaking at the same event, accused the government of playing public relations exercise with the drugs issue and menace.

According to the MP the government is aware of all entry points for drugs and the barons involved in their trafficking yet it has not taken any stern action.

“Today if our government decides to finish this drug business, I assure you it will be a thing of the past.”

The MP pointed at the National Intelligence (NIS), DCI and other security organs as the weak link that had failed to curb drug trafficking despite their international accolades.

“DCI is ranked as among the best in the world. How comes it cannot end this menace once and for all.”

He wanted the government to act on intelligence report it received on all warehouses and routes for drug trafficking so as to stop substance abuse.

“Everyday it’s policies, after policies and meetings after meetings with nothing to show for it. We need to see drugs being seized, barons arrested and prosecuted, if not this is just PR.”

President William Ruto’s daughter Charlene Ruto told the youth to avoid drugs usage saying it was destructive to their bodies.

She encouraged them to always be prepared by quoting the scouts’ motto saying opportunities for growth will come.

The first daughter called on GenZs to position themselves in different aspects so as to showcase their innovations, creativity and talents in an international youths summit to be held in Nairobi.

“Be prepared so that when we start calling for applications, you run with it. Thing might be bad but we can’t lament forever. Ensure that when an opportunity arises, it finds you well prepared,” she said.