Deputy Inspector General (IG) of Police Douglas Kanja Kiricho has instructed Police officers to increase their efforts in eliminating drug abuse and consumption of illicit brews among the youth, especially teenagers, in the country.
The Deputy IG, who was speaking in Kajiado North Constituency after launching the Gataka Police Post block, said that drug abuse and alcoholism are a threat to the youth.
Kiricho said that parents should ensure their children are enrolled and attend schools in order to prevent them from exposure to drugs.
“We said that the OCS can not be in the same location as drugs or illicit brew. Either the OCS or the illegal substances must move out,” he stated.
Kajiado North MP Onesimus Ngogoyo said that the new Police block will boost security in the area.
Ngogoyo issued a cheque worth Ksh200,000 to purchase furniture for the station. Kiricho also contributed Ksh500,000 towards the cause.
On his part, Kajiado Senator Kanar Seki said that the government is working to deal with residents’ demand to the government for additional police officers and patrol vehicles.
Cooperative University of Kenya (CUK) Student Leader Amos Kamotho urged the government to erect streetlights on the busy Gataka road to protect students from attacks by criminal gangs.
NACADA recently ranked Kajiado North as among regions with the highest number of youth including under-age students who abuse drugs.
According to recent research by Okoyo Collins et al. titled ‘Prevalence, Types, Patterns and Risk Factors Associated with Drugs and Substances of Use and Abuse’, alcohol, bhang, tobacco, and cigarettes were ranked as the most abused drugs and substances in Kajiado County.
By Obegi Malack
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