The government has been urged to actively involve people living with disabilities in the fight against drug abuse by setting aside funds for sensitisation and training programmes.
Nominated Member of County Assembly (MCA) Emma Mbugua said reports indicate that some people living with physical challenges are engaged in drug trafficking and drug abuse. This is because vulnerable individuals are not thoroughly screened as other people.
People living with disabilities are a soft target for drug traffickers since not many officials would suspect them of being involved in vices like drug trafficking, the MCA said.
Speaking to reporters at Nakuru town over the weekend, Mbugua, who lives with visual impairment, said some people living with disabilities are drug traffickers’ targets and also stakeholders in the illegal business.
She said security personnel and the wider public sympathises with people living with disabilities, creating a loophole for the illegal business to thrive. She called on the county government to complement the national government in the fight against drug abuse, especially among people living with disabilities.
Mbugua said people living with disabilities in Nakuru have been working with National Authority for Campaign against Drug Abuse through training and sensitisation programmes.
The MCA said people living with disabilities have talents that can be tapped and urged the county government to assist them form an association in order to increase chances of getting funding.