The government and the private sector have been encouraged to enroll alcohol addicts in rehabilitation centres instead of sacking them.
This is the opinion of Meru County Alcoholic and Drinks Control Board Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Mbabu Muguna, who suggest that teachers, civil servants and other workers should be treated as sick people and not outcasts.
He said alcohol addiction is a disease like any other and victims should be treated instead of being punished, preferring rehabilitation and counselling before being readmitted to their work stations.
Speaking to the media in Meru town, Dr Muguna said the latest statistics show 30 per cent of teachers and civil servants are alcohol addicts.
“Latest analysis shows 30 per cent of teachers and civil servants are addicted to alcohol. Alcohol addiction is a disease which should be treated. Alcohol addicts need our help and not condemnation. Let them be taken to rehab for treatment instead of being sacked,” said Dr Muguna.
He said the county government is building a rehabilitation centre at Kirua market in Buuri Constituency with a bed capacity of 100 patients to take care of those who cannot afford treatment in private facilities.
“This is the first phase being done on a 12-acre piece of land. It’s the first phase which is meant for men while the second phase will be for women. The idea came after we realized the problem of alcohol addiction facing our people,” said Dr Muguna.
He said public sensitization on alcohol abuse have borne fruit, noting they use road trips and public meetings to communicate with residents.
“Currently nobody in Meru can drink expired alcohol because we have educated them.
We have banned bars from operating in residential estates,” noted Dr Muguna.
He cautioned traders against setting up bars near learning institutions or selling alcohol to school children as it is a violation of the law.
“The law clearly states that alcohol should not be sold within 300 metres of any basic education institution. Bar owners should have signs and writings to ensure alcohol is not sold to underage children,” he said.
He suggested that the age limit set for consumption of alcohol should be adjusted from 18 to 22 years, regretting that illicit brews has led to high school dropout rates and poor living standards.
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