Download Alcohol and drug abuse influence to growth rate of needy children in

Alcohol and drug abuse influence to growth rate of needy children in
Kenya by BARRY PAUL
Alcohol and drug use has been an integral part of societies throughout history.
Use of drugs has been accepted and considered statistically normal in many parts
of the world. Only recently, we have become aware of the dangers involved in the
use of drugs. Even when the use of drugs was an acceptable practice, certain
individuals were thought to have ‘problems’ with drugs. Use of drugs therefore
turns to abuse of drugs when individuals violate societal norms for the frequency,
duration and intensity of ingestion or norms governing the social context within
which the substances are used.
Drug and alcohol addiction has now become a serious problem in Kenya
especially among the youth. It is the cause of death of hundreds of people and
destroys happiness and peace in the family and society.
In most communities, like the Luo in Nyanza province, cultural traditions
prohibit women from using drugs. The relatively few women who do abuse drugs
are mostly depressed and tend to take alcohol or prescribed drugs (such as
tranquilizers) which are readily available.
According to the “United Nation Office on Drug and Crime” (U.N.O.D.C) survey,
the respondents generally did not know any sources of help for drug abusers, but
they were of the opinion that prisons and approved schools failed to meet their
needs. Parents in particular, were frustrated that apart from turning their
offspring over to law enforcement agencies or taking them to mental health
institutions, there is no other source of help. Pupils and students felt that schools
where counseling was available provided some relief.
According to “Wrong Diagnosis” - an international organization working on drug
and addiction reduction, Kenya’s extrapolated prevalence of drug abuse has gone
to 485,031 and of its population estimated use which is 32,982,109 which shows
clearly the rate of continual use turning to abuse.
U.N.O.D.C annual prevalence of abuse as percentage of population aged 15-60,
shows that Kenya is first in East Africa on abuse of cocaine by 0.1 million, second
in east, north and central Africa on abuse of cannabis sativa by 4.0 million to
Mauritius which host 7.2 million, Kenya is also second to Mauritius in abuse of
opiates in north and East Africa by 0.2 million to Mauritius which hold 2.0
million of its population. Kenya is therefore evident that will face more addiction
and other drug abuse related diseases.
According to America Cancer Society (AMS) tobacco statistics account for the loss
of 4 million every year worldwide, and that by the year 2030 the number will be
likely 10 million, America Cancer Society (AMS) also account that 53,000 die
each year from effects of environmental tobacco smoke (E.T.S)
The rise of addiction in Kenya has taken a drivers seat because the government
and major non governmental organizations (N.G.O) is relaxed on its prevention
unlike the fight on HIV/AIDS. About 95% of Kenyan community is unaware of
the effects of alcohol and drug abuse.
It is also certain and of warrant serious consideration that most of crimes are
associated with drug abuse. In the year 2004, there were 1,140 murders, 16
incident of manslaughter, 2,190 rapes and 4,650 drug seizers thus claiming lost
of lives in Kenya. Crime statistics therefore raise yearly. At the other hand, a
study conducted by KNH show that Kenya nearly spends Ksh 7, 000 on each
victim who get admitted to government hospital on alcohol related accident, the
study supports that there is increase of alcohol related accidents from 20 percent
to 43 percent.
Kisumu has been influenced by abuse of cannabis, and has grown wide in its
abuse, taking the lead in Kenya by about 48% of population cannabis abuse.
Of “boda boda sect” (bicycle taxi drivers) believe on a myth of energy given from
the drug thus cannabis, unaware of its physical effects even to second hand
smokers of which include hearing loss, limb spasms and damage to the central
nervous system, mouth cancer, pharynx cancer, emphysema amongst other
diseases/complications. Percentage of youths in Kisumu abusing drugs is likely to
improve by about 30 – 40 percent and more if addiction reduction projects are
not initiated in the region, Unaware of the effects of substances of abuse, some
die unknowingly, they die of drug related complications for smoking shortens
person’s life span by about 13 to 14.5 years and smokers between the ages of 35
and 70 have death rates three times higher than those who have never smoked.
Nonsmoking spouse of smokers are 40% more likely to develop lung cancer and
heart diseases than others.
Kisumu which hold the second largest population of street boys, street life has
adopted the drug culture, tradition in the Kenyan street that is associated by
drugs, there most abused is cannabis sativa and inhalants.
Children are not left aside for 10% of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is
drug abuse related. This narrates how the whole society is at lost of lives and
ignorant of the problems facing them especially on alcohol and substance of
abuse. Sensitization is therefore required.
Families of addicts are never left behind for they suffer from co-dependency,
which is another disease from effects of dependant.
Despite the problem that strike our society, still choosing on specialties in social
work, taking into community support-need, which include HIV/AIDS, education,
food and shelter amongst other. The problems mentioned above hasn’t shown up,
as a need due to denial and its root cause being the a core supportive agent to
some communities makes it more difficult. It is therefore that drug, addiction and
dependency have not been taken genuine, and of warrant serious consideration in
the fieldwork or by the religion and most addicts suffer from stigma.
It is a problem rarely touched and few bodies handle it, thus the community need
to serve addicts is embrace in dearth. Last two months the minister of Health
Charity Ngilu, declared public smoking illegal and that its fine will sum to 80,000
Kenyan shillings which is equivalent to 800 US dollars. The move of the minister
was criticized by the British American Tobacco (BAT) and Mastermind
companies that the move was aimed at destroying for them business. They then
moved to court, a process that has delayed the ban.
There are only two treatment centers in Kenya, thus in Nairobi and Mombasa
which are also expensive to the Kenyans, cost ranging between 1500 shillings to
3000 shillings a day.
Most addicts are poor, there drink that is the source of their addiction is cheap,
and they take local brews that cost 10 shillings, which is equal to 0.1 dollars.
Drug abuse has also facilitated the spread of HIV virus, some people living with
HIV virus. This is evident that the fight of Kenyan government on HIV/AIDS will
not bear fruit unless they handle drug and addiction.
The government of Kenya should make a steadfast move in ensuring the less loss
of ignorant citizen in the drug and addiction subject.
HOLLAND HELPT taking responsibility
Not all needy children in Kenya are total orphans, there are a number of needy
children in Kenya whose pride and life has been robbed by drugs and substances
of abuse. As explained above, the effects of the drugs in Kenya, most of the
parents have been robbed by addiction and have failed to undertake their
responsibilities of supporting needs of their children. Children in slums who have
parents often look like orphans, they have parents in a shadow.
HOLLAND HELP which has taken initiative of supporting children in Africa
primary Kenya can raise the hope of these children with your support.
Support a child in slums through HOLLAND HELPT. More information,
[email protected]