The war on alcoholism and drug abuse cannot succeed without involvement of women, Dorcas Rigathi has said.
She said women being mothers, have a special place in society, and their input in the campaign to save thousands of young people from ruin by addiction to those substances is critical.
Dorcas spoke during the launch of Rose Kirika Foundation, an initiative of the Kiambu Deputy Governor Rosemary Kirika, at the Mpesa Academy in Thika. It is meant to empower and support families against alcoholism and drug abuse in the county.
At the same time, the DP's spouse who is spearheading the drive against consumption of illicit alcohol in the country, said hundreds of youths are being supported through rehabilitation programmes and financial capital to start their businesses.
“Most of the reformed addicts are being supported to start their own businesses while others are being employed in state projects, especially the Affordable Housing projects across the country,” she said.
She hailed Kirika for coming up with the initiative which she said goes a long way towards reforming thousands of young people in Kiambu and assisting affected families.
“I really commend the Kiambu Deputy Governor, Rosemary Kirika and her family for this initiative of love and philanthropy for families, which aligns with my vision of dignifying the vulnerable, which includes those affected by alcohol and drug abuse,” she said.
Kirika said she was pushed into taking action after realising that a large number of those who attend political meetings are usually intoxicated and in a state of despair.
“During the 2022 campaign period, I observed that a big percentage of those who attended the political rallies were intoxicated and I resolved that if God gave us the favour to lead Kiambu county, one of my main objectives would be to restore sobriety in our society,” she said.
Kirika said her foundation will focus on psychological training and advocacy, economic empowerment of reformed addicts as well as talent development, adding that they will adopt a family approach to combat the menace.
“We also shall use the preventive approach of economic and social empowerment to the family unit to prevent them from alcoholism and drug abuse. We are very concerned about the surge in the vices and especially among the youth which has led to dysfunctional families,” Kirika said.
The Deputy Governor also said the foundation will be partnering with corporates, academic institutions, expert trainers, churches, the government and other stakeholders to ensure success of the fight.
National Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse board director Wilfred Kogo said statistics show that at least 4.1 per cent of men in Nairobi and Central Kenya are addicted to alcohol.
“About one in six people is using one or another drug or substance and the most affected are men because one in every three is using either drugs or alcohol. The initiative by this foundation is worth our support and especially to fight the menace in Central region which is worst affected by the menace,” the official said.
He said Nacada will partner with the foundation in conducting trainings on prevention and treatment including the aftercare handling of the affected in the region with target areas being schools and tertiary institutions.
The event was also graced by Deputy Governors Stephen Munania (Murang’a), Njoroge Muchiri (Nairobi), Warui Kinanire (Nyeri), Reuben Kamuri (Laikipia ), Christine Kilalo (Taita Taveta) and Philomena Bineah (Trans Nzoia).