Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in Kirinyaga County have been challenged to play a greater role in the fight against illicit brews and drug abuse by creating awareness and supporting efforts to rehabilitate people struggling with addiction.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting bringing together the County Security Committee, Community Health Promoters and members of the business community, Kirinyaga County Commissioner (CC) Shufaa Omar Mwijuma urged CHPs to join the ongoing campaign under the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), aimed at addressing alcohol and substance abuse in the county.

Mwijuma said CHPs were strategically positioned to support the campaign because of their close contact with households across the county.

 She urged them to use their access to communities to educate residents on the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse and encourage those affected by addiction to seek help and rehabilitation.

“These Community Health Promoters (CHPs) are the ones who will connect us with people affected on the ground, those we can link with NACADA for medical assessments, so we know who needs rehabilitation, who needs counseling, and who should receive medication to mitigate these effects,” she said

The CC noted that excessive alcohol consumption is associated with a number of social and health challenges, including sexually transmitted infections and crime, with young children among those vulnerable to abuse.

“Additionally, for those affected by withdrawal symptoms, the Community Health Promoters will  identify them, direct them to medical treatment facilities and guide them to curative services, so they do not lose their lives in this fight against substance abuse,” she added

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) coordinator, Catherine Kimui, said a number of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases reported in Kirinyaga had been linked to drug and substance abuse.

“Gender-Based Violence (GBV), rape, and defilement have all been directly linked to alcohol abuse. The same applies to gambling issues, which is why we need CHPs to assist us at the grassroots level,” Kimui noted.

She called for collective responsibility among CHPs, security agencies, businesses and the wider community to prevent alcohol and drug abuse and support affected individuals.

Kimui further noted that addiction was contributing to increased stress levels among affected individuals and families, underscoring the need for early intervention, counselling and rehabilitation.

“Assist us in sensitization of citizens using facts to demystify the myths” she said.

She asked them to recommend the victim to accredited rehabilitation centers. Additionally they can call NACADA toll free number 1192 for assistance and also counselling services.

The CC has been meeting with different stakeholders to build stronger collaboration among government agencies, health workers, security officers, businesses and communities to address the growing challenge of illicit alcohol and substance abuse in Kirinyaga.

 by Mutai Kipng’etich