MUMINA: Bringing NACADA to Isiolo was Essential
Isiolo County Member of parliament Mumina Bonaya has reiterated that her effort to lobby the government to set up the Upper Eastern NACADA Regional office in Isiolo, was very essential in the fight against drugs and substance abuse.
Speaking during the finals of a football tournament that was organized by her office in collaboration with the NACADA Isiolo office, Mumina said youths in Isiolo have had a familiar platform to engage and have awareness on the dangers of drug abuse for the last two weeks during which the tournament was taking place.
The law maker highlighted the importance of community-driven efforts in tackling drug abuse and emphasized the need for youth engagement in constructive activities to prevent substance addiction.
Mumina who said she was “very happy” with the way the tournament was organized through cooperation between her office and NACADA officials, said efforts to create awareness on drugs and substance abuse would soon bare the desired benefits.
She took the opportunity to urge Isiolo youth to enroll for technical courses which were readily available in local government institutions instead of staying idle which exposes them to dangerous habits.
Mumina called on security agencies to man all the entry points of drugs to the county while also emphasizing on the importance of all stakeholders coming together including religious leaders to see a reduction to the drug abuse problems in Isiolo.
She said that NACADA in partnership with the county government were planning on setting up a medical wing that will provide vital medicine like methadone, for reformed drug addicts who are trying to stop the abuse.
Alice Mwangi the NACADA county Coordinator Isiolo said that those suffering drug addiction have to undergo both the medical treatment alongside psycho social support adding that statistics had shown that tobacco, and miraa were the most abused substances in Isiolo.
Alice said that her office was also working together with religious leaders and other stakeholders to ensure that the efforts are successful.
Over 1500 spectators turned up to cheer the teams and enjoy the football matches today which was followed by the prize awarding ceremony.
The final match saw Grevey Zebra clinch the title after a thrilling 4-2 penalty shootout victory against Bilbao, in front of a crowd of over 1,000 enthusiastic spectators. The champions walked away with a KSH. 100,000 prize and a trophy, while individual players were recognized for their outstanding performances.
FKF Isiolo Chairperson Hussein Abuku urged the government to fund more youth programs, stressing that initiatives like this could help curb crime and drug abuse by providing better opportunities for young people.
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