The fight against alcohol and drug abuse in Kwale County has been intensified after faith-based organizations mobilized their members to help combat the growing menace, amid rising concern over its impact on youth, families, and community safety.
This followed a sensitization forum organized by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), which brought together faith and community leaders from Diani and Msambweni to discuss and deliberate on strategic prevention, referral, and rehabilitation efforts at the grassroots level.
Kwale County NACADA Coordinator Eunice Kijala said religious leaders were deliberately selected for the initiative due to their moral authority and close ties with communities, which place them in a strategic position to help address the challenge.
“Drug and substance abuse is deeply rooted in our society, and we believe faith leaders are well placed to guide communities and discourage harmful behavior,” said Kijala.
She added that the training highlighted the health, psychological, economic, and social impacts of drug and substance abuse, while also equipping leaders with skills on how to support affected individuals through counseling and appropriate referrals.
According to NACADA reports in Kwale County, substances such as miraa, illicit alcohol, bhang, and other drugs are prevalent, particularly in Diani, negatively affecting youth productivity and posing a growing social crisis.
“This initiative will enable religious leaders to guide their congregations, especially young people as the next generation. Parents, particularly mothers, should also embrace positive parenting,” she said.
Drug and substance abuse in the county has also been linked to rising insecurity, with officials noting that impaired judgment often contributes to criminal activities.
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) survey cited by NACADA, between 2020 and 2022, alcohol consumption accounted for approximately 3 million deaths globally, while tobacco use led to over 8 million deaths. These substances contributed to 5.1 percent of the global disease burden and 13.5 percent of deaths among people aged 20–39.
Under Kenyan law, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act criminalizes the possession, trafficking, and use of illegal drugs, while the NACADA Act mandates nationwide prevention, education, enforcement, and rehabilitation efforts.
