More than half of residents of Uasin Gishu county abuse alcohol, health experts have said.
They say the problem affects all sectors of society, including the working and non-working groups.
A recent research carried out by the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital revealed that the medical sector, Judiciary and the banking sector are some of the hardest-hit by alcoholism and drug abuse. It showed the number of employees in these sectors abusing alcohol and drugs is on the rise.
Hospital CEO Dr Wilson Aruasa said the problem of alcohol and drugs abuse is worsening and called for concerted efforts by all players to deal with it.
“Alcoholism is affecting many Kenyans including professionals. Sometimes it might be because of the nature of work, buildup of stress levels and people think that abusing such substances may help to reduce stress and anxiety,” he said.
Dr Aruasa made the revelation after leading a procession in Eldoret on Friday to mark International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Separately Uasin Gishu county commissioner Dr Edisson Nyale said the county has more than 1,400 people engaging in production of illicit alcohol, especially chang'aa and busaa.
Another 300 have reformed due to ongoing intensified fight against the illicit alcohol, he said.
Dr Aruasa said alcohol abuse has resulted in many families breaking down and an increase in crime.
“Communities are recording a rise in crime attributed to use of drugs and alcohol. Even at workplaces we have lateness and absenteeism,” he said.
Aruasa said those who have to be taken to rehabilitation centres have to abandon work for more than three months, inflicting costs on employers and families.
He said the hospital has a 42-bed facility to rehabilitate alcoholics and drug addicts.
Dr Chelagat Saina, who is in charge of the mental health department at the hospital, said the recent research showed abuse of drugs in the region is on the increase, followed by tobacco use.
She said they also noted an increasing trend of abuse of prescription drugs, especially painkillers.
“The study we did, indicate more than 50 per cent abuse of alcohol followed by tobacco use, cannabis sativa and lately we are noticing a lot of prescription drugs being abused such as opioids, anti-histamine and painkillers,” Saina said.
She said abuse of prescription drugs stands at more than 20 per cent in Uasin Gishu county.
Dr Aruasa said workers were at a higher risk of abusing prescription drugs due to the ease of access, especially at their workplace compared to the general public.