Drug abuse might be declared a national disaster if a motion to be tabled in parliament is passed.
Gatanga MP Humphrey Kimani says he will table the motion in parliament to have the menace declared a national disaster. He said that most youths are engaging in drug abuse and they have refused to go to school.
He said that though currently alcohol use by this age group declined from 28.8 to 24.3 per cent between 2002 and 2012, the rate of heavy drinking went from 4.3 to 6.2 per cent.
Kimani revealed that even though the rate has declined, most of these people use commonly known “changaa” which is not good for their health.
He added that the problem has gone to an extent where marijuana use has increased saying that with this, the country’s development will continue lagging behind since are no qualified personnel to work.
The legislator, who was accompanied by Nyandarua Women Representative Wanjiku Muhia and Kandara MP Alice Muthoni, said that illicit brews have also become popular leaving many people dead.
He said that if immediate action is not taken, most young people will die or become helpless.