Heroin addicts in Lamu prepare the drug before using it. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Lamu branch has called upon different stakeholders to step up their fight against the increasing cases of drug abuse among youth in the county.Speaking on behalf of the council, NCCK chair Charles Herya said cases of youth engaging in drug abuse are increasing at an alarming rate. Herya said drug abuse has greatly contributed to youth in the county being radicalised and joining terror-related gangs including al-Shabaab.He also said drug abuse has led to increased cases of students dropping out of school, adding that a majority of the addicts are semi-illiterate. The chair further said drug abuse is hurting the economy of Lamu and other parts of the Coast region, adding that something must be done to stop youth from engaging in the vice.“The number of young people who are abusing drugs is very alarming and everybody should be concerned. It’s not good for the security and economy of any given region. These young people become easily compromised and a majority has fallen into the hands of al-Shabaab recruiters. We must do something before we regret this. It’s not too late,” said Herya, as quoted by Baraka FM. He pointed an accusing finger at both the county and national governments, criticising them for doing little to empower youth and other members of the society.