Dr. Mbabu Muguna, Chief Executive Officer Meru County Alcoholic and Drinks Control Board, appealed to the government and private sector to enroll alcohol addicts into rehabilitation facilities rather than sacking them, arguing that addiction to alcohol is a disease and not a cause of sack.
According to Dr. Muguna, the latest statistics reveal that 30% of teachers and civil servants are addicted to alcohol. He emphasized that such individuals need rehabilitation and counseling before they could be readmitted to their workstations. Speaking in Meru town, he said, “Such people need compassion and treatment rather than condemnation.”.
A rehabilitation center with a 100-bed capacity is being put up at Kirua market in Buuri Constituency by the county government, with the intention of helping people who cannot afford to pay for private rehabilitation centers. There will be two phases: one for men, and another phase for women. This is as a response to the realization that alcohol addiction was fast becoming a major challenge in society.
He also applauded the sensitization of the public on alcohol abuse, including road trips and public meetings. He noted that the consumption of expired alcohol has reduced following education to the masses. Further, he said, bars operating in residential areas have been banned to reduce issues relating to alcohol.
He reminded traders that it is illegal to sell alcohol near learning institutions and to any school-going children. The law has registered a ban on the sale of alcoholic drinks within a radius of 300 meters from any basic education institution. Notices have to be displayed by bar proprietors to ensure that no alcoholic drink shall be sold to any underage person.
Dr Muguna also proposed changing legally allowed drinking age from 18 to 22 years in order to fight high school dropouts, as well as low living standards attributed to illicit brews.
Dr. Muguna believes that through advocacy for treatment and support, a change in perception and handling of the problem can lead to good health and high productivity in society.