The media has been asked to be in the fore front in the war against alcohol and drug abuse with support from the anti-drug and alcohol abuse agency.
Speaking on Friday when he flagged off the ADA campaign in the county offices, Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi said the media is the best platform in preaching against alcohol and substance abuse.
He asked the National Agency for the Campaign against Drug Abuse (NACADA), to use the media in campaigns against substance abuse.
His sentiments were hailed by Kisii County Commissioner Chege Mwangi and Culture and sports CeC Moiro Omari, who both challenged the media to help the public understand the consequences of engaging in ADA.
Deputy Governor however, lauded the anti-drug and substance abuse agency for their efforts in ending the menace and helping addicts of the substances.
He said successful fight against alcohol and drug abuse will reduce crimes and disorder in various communities hence, boosting economic standards of the country through responsible people.
“When for instance one is drunk, that is when they can do all sorts of ills and can bring disorder in the villages. Therefore, the fight will reduce crimes in the society and people will be responsible for themselves and their families. Let this not be a one day event, continue the message to the media so that it can reach a wide spectrum of audience,” noted Maangi.
He said Kisii County will support the agency in the fight against ADA so that the country can have health people who will contribute positively to the economy.
The DG urged alcohol and other drugs users to take in moderation so that they can discharge other responsibilities in the society.
“Prevention is better than cure and a healthy person is a health county and country. Alcoholism is a disease and therefore if you are consuming the hard liquor, poise between wisely,” advised Maangi.
He asked school going children to abstain from taking alcohol and other drugs if they wanted to excel in education and life in general.
NACADA held a three day workshop at Kisii University on ADA awareness that aimed establishing possible ways of tackling the menace in the county.
According to the Kisii University Coordinator Earnest Nyandwaro, indicted that cases of drug abuse in Kisii are on the rise and an affirmative action should be employed to deal with the problem.