Kibabii University in conjunction with The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) held a one-day sensitization workshop on Monday 7th June, 2021 at the University. The event, organized by the Kibabii University’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Committee chaired by the Senior Clinical Officer Mr. Johnstone Eshirera was attended by the members of Senate and Heads of various sections of the University.
NACADA is a Semi-Autonomous State Corporation under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government as per the Executive Order No. 1 of June 2018. As part of their mandates, NACADA carries out public education on alcohol and drug abuse directly and in collaboration with other public or private bodies and institutions. They also coordinate and facilitate public participation in the control of alcohol and drug abuse as well as collaboration with other lead agencies to facilitate and promote the monitoring and surveillance of national and international emerging trends and patterns in the production, manufacture, sale, consumption, trafficking, promotion of alcohol and drugs of abuse among other functions.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2018), harmful use of alcohol accounts for 3 million deaths every year globally. This represents 5.3% of all deaths!!! Further, the report reveals that alcohol consumption causes death and disability relatively early in life. In the age group 20–39 years, approximately 13.5 % of the total deaths are alcohol-attributable. Beyond health consequences, the harmful use of alcohol brings significant social and economic losses to individuals and society at large.
To delve into the matter, NACADA representatives led by the Regional Coordinator (Western) Ms. Sarah Koske and Programmes Officer Mr. George Kasera painted a picture of the global, national and regional statistics in Alcohol and Drug Abuse and their effects on health, psychosocial as well their effects at the workplace.
The event was officially opened by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Ipara Odeo and attended by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation) Prof. Dr.-Ing. Benedict M. Mutua among other members of the University Management.
More details of the workshop in the upcoming monthly newsletter Vol. I Issue No. 15 KIBUNewsWeek.
