IN ORDER TO FIGHT DRUGS EFFECTIVELY, WE NEED TO HAVE ALL INFORMATION
ABOUT NARCOTICS

Having a conversation with the former boss of the National Agency for
the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (Nacada), Mr Joseph Kaguthi, on the
drug abuse problem in Kenya is extremely enlightening.

Mr Kaguthi asserts that policymakers, civil society, and the
citizenry need to arm themselves with the right information regarding
substance abuse in order to assist in finding sustainable solutions.

Everyone concerned should know, for instance, that substances causing
the greatest harm to the youth are those that are legally available,
not the illicit ones.

Secondly, the negative public attitude towards drunkards and drug
addicts as criminals deserving arrest and punishment needs to change.

These are sick people crying out for help. Ranking legal and illegal
drugs according to the level of damage they cause to society, alcohol
tops the list, followed by cigarette smoking, bhang, miraa, volatile
inhalants, medical prescription drugs, and finally, cocaine and heroin.

Cigarettes are notorious for harming innocent bystanders, unlike
alcohol, which explains why banning smoking in public places is the
trend worldwide.

Next in line is bhang. Demand is so high that neighbouring countries
are now growing the drug as a crop targeting the Kenyan black market.

Miraa has a unique quality as a gatekeeper drug that seduces an
abuser to reach out for alcohol, cigarettes, and other substances
during its long time-wasting chewing sessions. It is common in
Nairobi, North Eastern, and coastal regions.

Volatile inhalants affect the poorest in society. Abusers are able to
stop taking these drugs without suffering serious withdrawal symptoms.

On the other hand, medical drug abuse is a direct consequence of
weaknesses in law enforcement as well as lack of professionalism
among persons working in the medical field.

Heroin and cocaine have pitched tent in Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu,
and Nairobi and its environs and may spill over to other areas unless
corrective action is taken. These drugs arrive from the Far East and
the West African circuit, attracted by Kenya's efficient
communication system by air, road, IT, and other means.

Secondly, having enjoyed peace and stability for a considerable
period of time, this country facilitates free movement to foreigners,
attracting drug barons.

Initially, heroin and cocaine used Kenya as a transit point but like
all drugs, they soon landed and local consumption began. However, the
quick spread of hard drugs at the Coast was due to the speed with
which security forces were compromised.

Despite this weakness, Muslim clerics and the media continue to put
up resistance against drug peddling in coastal towns to the extent of
naming offenders over the radio.

Nacada is the first institution established by the government
purposely to deal with substance abuse. Unfortunately, however, the
organisation was merely tasked to lead a campaign against substance
abuse without matching enforcement powers.

Worse still, the presidential decree that established Nacada never
outlined clearly its parameters of operation.

The solution to this country's drug abuse and transit problem lies in
the immediate creation of an authority solely designed to deal with
drugs and substance abuse control.

Once the authority is established, its leadership vetted, and
parliamentary approval obtained, the organisation's CEO should report
periodically to Parliament and the President regarding coordination
of drug-related activities across the board.

The rationale behind this requirement is simple: no one government
agency can effectively combat drug and substance smuggling, peddling,
and abuse singly.

Since 2005/6 when Kenya became a consumer of hard drugs such as
cocaine and heroin, the country has degenerated into a drug transit
and storage area.

This dubious distinction was attained partly because arrested
offenders were not debriefed on the source of their illicit
merchandise and suitable policy action initiated.

Equally important, the Judiciary should hand down heavy sentences to
proven drug barons and peddlers as a deterrent measure.