Calls to revive war on drugs as Muslims celebrate Idd

The war on drugs and substance abuse dominated speeches from leaders and clerics at the Rtd General Mohmaud Idd grounds in Garissa during Idd prayers.

Speakers who included Garissa town MP Dekow Mohamed and clerics led by Garissa county Supkem secretary Abdullahi Salat called on the government not to relent in the war on the menace.

Last month, the National Government and Administrative officers in partnership with the National Police Service (NPS), the county government, and Nacada mounted a crackdown targeting kiosks, chemists and peddlers involved in the vice.

Many people were arrested and arraigned. A number of pharmacy outlets were shut down for selling psychotropic drugs (substances that alter mood, behaviour or thoughts such as alcohol and Marijuana), commonly used by Miraa consumers.

The crackdown however slowed down in April, which the leaders decried will see drug barons and peddlers resurface.

Mohamed said the leaders have planned a conference to discuss the menace and come up with possible solutions.

“We all know what drugs and substance abuse have done to our society. And the situation is getting worse by the day. Our youth are wasting away and unfortunately most of the social ills we are having are as a result of the abuse of these drugs. We must all wake to the reality and act now,” he said.

County Supkem Secretary said drug use in the area was on the rise, adding it was a big contributor to some of the ills bedevilling society.

“The rate at which our youth are consuming drugs is alarming. The situation cannot continue like this. While we continue to call for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the illegal business, we need laws that will support the same," he said.

Salat called on parents to be more involved in their duties by correcting guiding and moulding their children into responsible members of their society. He said this should start from an early age. Salat said some parents contributed to their children going astray.

Two weeks ago, Defense CS Aden Duale addressed the same issue while speaking in Garissa, saying the war on drugs and substance abuse is one which the Kenya Kwanza government is determined to win.

Duale said anyone found be involved directly or indirectly in the illegal business will face the full force of the law. The CS spoke during the graduation ceremony at Madarasa Hafsa Bintu Sirin, in the outskirts of Garissa town. 

Also expressing concern was Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo, who last week said the government will not back down on the fight against drugs and substance abuse, adding that if the situation is not corrected early enough then a generation will be wasted.