The Athi River District Officer, David Teguewa, has declared war against drug and substance abuse in Athi River Division in a bid to ensure responsible and productive community.
Tuguewa who took over the office recently, after a reshuffle, condemned high uptake of drugs such as bhang, miraa and illicit liquor in the area, especially among the youth arguing that it had led to continuous vicious poverty cycle since the drunkards could not engage in any productive activities.
"Majority of the youth in Athi River division are idle because they have nothing to do, some of them are unemployable though, since they have been completely ruined by excessive consumption of hard drugs," said Tugewa.
The officer said that bang is openly smoked in the region at broad day light due to laxity in enforcement of related laws on drugs and substance abuse by concerned agencies in the area.
He cautioned the culprits revealing that his office would partner with all stakeholders in the division to raid markets and crack down drug suppliers with intent of eliminating suppliers and their supplies in Athi River.
"The war against drug and substance abuse cannot be successful if markets and suppliers are not completely eliminated hence needs concerted efforts from all stakeholders," said Teguewa.
Teguewa who addressed press in Athi River town shortly after conducting a public baraza yesterday, said that those who abuse drugs should know that it affected their lives even if they had not been brought to book by security agencies.
He said the vise had also adversely contributed to high HIV prevalence and family break ups in the region given that the victims could not responsibly provide for their families.
The officer said that those arrested will face full force of the law arguing they were also threat to the regions security given that idle minds are devil's workshop.