The fight against alcohol, drug, and substance abuse was on Friday accelerated through a renewed commitment between NACADA and faith-based organisations in the country.
This was following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NACADA and APECK, the Association of Pentecostal and Evangelical Clergy of Kenya, at the official residence of the Deputy President in Karen, Nairobi County.
The MoU was signed by NACADA CEO Prof. John Muteti and APECK CEO Dr. Geoffrey Gichuki and witnessed by the spouse of the Deputy President, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, who is the Patron of APECK.
“Those addicted to drugs are our children, and we must work hard to make sure that the dreams of our children are revalidated. Let us open the doors of our mosques, churches, and temples and make our places of worship safe havens for the vulnerable,” said Pastor Dorcas.
NACADA has in the past signed working MoUs with the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK), the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), the Catholic Church, and the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA).
“Nacada will share technical expertise with APECK and train clergy, Sunday school teachers, and counselors on the detection and control of substance abuse, and also support community-based and education programs targeting persons with alcohol and drug abuse disorders among stakeholders,” said Nacada CEO Prof. Muteti.
Prof Muteti emphasized the need for community-based rehabilitation, saying formal rehabilitations were very expensive and would not be sufficient for the many who need rehabilitation.
“We can replicate home-based and community-based rehabilitation across the country. Taking someone to a formal rehab is very expensive, to the tune of Ksh 100, 000 for the three-month duration, and this is the cheapest rate. There is a community based model of rehabilitation working in Githunguri, Kiambu County, that we would like to replicate in other parts of the country and even share with the world. These are homegrown solutions that work through the use of local technology,” said Prof Muteti.
In addition, APECK would lead the campaign against alcohol and drug abuse through advocacy, rehabilitation, and mobilization at the grassroots. The association would also help in suppressing the supply of illicit brews and drugs through reporting and joint campaigns with Nacada.
APECK CEO, Dr. Gichuki, said, “We are leveraging the capabilities of our competitive advantages so we can achieve more than the sum total of our individual efforts.”
Archbishop Gerry Kibarabara urged the church to support the great cause of restoring a generation.
Later, the Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua joined the meeting and appreciated the church for the continued prayers and support for the nation.
