Alcohol has killed 30,000 in five years, says Nacada

What you need to know:

  • Mututho said that there was a need for a universal health declaration on drug treatment and rehabilitation.
  • The former Naivasha MP said there was a need for the government to invest more in the fight against alcohol and drugs as it has in the war on terror.

Consumption of alcohol has claimed more than 30,000 lives in the past five years, the National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse has said.

Nacada Chairman John Mututho on Wednesday said there was a worrying trend of younger people dying as a result of alcohol consumption.

“There is a higher number of high school students engaging in substance abuse as there was a few years ago and something has to be done about it,” said Mr Mututho.

The former Naivasha MP said there was a need for the government to invest more in the fight against alcohol and drugs as it has in the war on terror.

FACTORIES CLOSED

He added that there was a need for a universal health declaration on drug treatment and rehabilitation.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery directed county commissioners and law enforcement agencies to crack down on manufacturers who did not meet requirements and ensure their factories are closed and their products removed from the market.

“The Interagency Task Force on Control of Portable Spirits and Combat of Illicit Brews established in July 2015 completed the first task in its terms of reference and presented its report to me in October 2015, said Mr Nkaissery.

He added: “Key among the recommendations in the report was that only 21 alcohol manufacturers met the requirements to continue operations.”

He reiterated that it was illegal for anyone to give alcohol to minors.