This archive report was first published on 8 August 2019.
On August 8, 2019, the Murang'a County Assembly in Kenya took a crucial step to address the alarming rise of drug and substance abuse among young people in the region.
According to a recent survey by the department of health, one out of six people in the county abuses drugs or alcohol.
Majority leader Erick Kamande tabled a motion seeking to compel the county government to take urgent measures to prevent youth from indulging in drugs.
Kamande attributed many crimes, road accidents, rape cases, and suicides in the county to alcohol and drug abuse.
He stated, 'Drug abuse has led to the disintegration of family units, rampant insecurity, and ever-rising cases of crime owing to a large number of young people who pose a great liability to the socio-economic wellbeing of our county.'
Members of the assembly accused the security team of being compromised by drug peddlers, who sell the substance illegally.
Nominated MCA Stephen Chege, who represents youth in the assembly, called on school administrators to work with security officers to eradicate substance abuse in learning institutions.
The county speaker, Mr. Nduati Kairuki, announced that the Assembly had embarked on public participation events to enact a law that would highlight punitive actions against persons found culpable in the sale, distribution, or promotion of drugs and substances among youth and young children.
