Every year on June 26, the world marks the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the devastating impact of drugs on individuals, families and societies.

But in Kenya, the day is frequently filled with rehashes of promises from the government and police, as well as public awareness campaigns. But after the celebrations, not much has changed at ground level.

Families continue to suffer from drug abuse; trafficking operations are still in operation, bars are selling illegal liquor openly in the villages, and institutions tasked with the eradication of the menace still have doubts about their effectiveness.

Now the war against drug and substance abuse has moved beyond the issue of the lack of laws. Kenya has adopted policies, enabling laws and formed enforcement bodies and institutions to combat the crisis. Implementation, accountability and political will are the most difficult.

Corruption: The biggest enemy

Corruption in institutions charged with enforcing the law in Kenya is one of the biggest challenges in the fight against drugs.

The trafficking in narcotics is an organised crime activity which cannot flourish without protection. Street-level users and dealers are often arrested, while large-scale traffickers operate free of law despite being targeted by years of intelligence and complaints in the public media.

Some allegations that certain rogue policemen take bribes to turn a blind eye on trafficking activities, leak information about planned police operations and compromise the investigations continue to cast doubts on the fight against drugs among the public. Until there is corruption in enforcement systems, criminal syndicates will keep on taking advantage of the vulnerabilities within the system.

Illicit alcohol thrives despite government presence

In many villages and informal settlements, illegal production and selling of alcoholic beverages is still ongoing despite the government’s repeated efforts to put an end to it.

People are often aware where these illicit stills are being made and sold. Often, the chiefs, assistant chiefs, and other local administrators are the ones who get complaints from the community members, but many of these complaints go on for months or years.

This has led to the general belief that the illegal trade is being promoted due to the lack of proper implementation, corruption and protection by some influential people. When businesses can’t be closed, wherever they’re located, it calls into question the country’s resolve to eradicate the threat.

Licensing failures

Liquor stores still exist in inappropriate premises in many trading centres, such as residential neighbourhoods and near schools. A few have been charged with selling booze to minors, running after hours or not meeting regulations, leaving many others in the same business.

In addition to alcohol outlets, they must also increase their regulation and monitoring of all businesses producing, distributing and selling regulated drugs and controlled substances. The licensing process should never be used as a way of collecting revenue. It is an essential public health protection measure.

Licensing authorities should carry out thorough background checks before issuing permits, ensure compliance with legal requirements and conduct regular inspections.

Any business that is seen to be in breach of any of the licensing conditions or involved in the illegal sale of controlled substances should be suspended and licences withdrawn and, where appropriate, prosecuted.

An open and transparent licensing regime would minimise the opportunities for rogues to enter the real market.

Has NACADA done enough?

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has carried out awareness programmes and organised enforcement actions, but not enough to curb drug or substance use.

Awareness campaigns are important but cannot replace a tougher approach to enforcement, community-based rehabilitation programmes and long-term prevention measures.

The country needs tangible results, not periodic publicity campaigns.

Govt’s responsibility

It is the government that makes the policy, passes laws, puts police officers on the street, gets the alcohol and pharmacy licences, funds rehabilitation centres and supervises agencies tasked with fighting drug and substance abuse.

The government, therefore, has to take the lead by improving the institutions, cleaning up the corrupt officers, providing enough resources for rehabilitation programmes and ensuring that no agency interferes with the mandate as contained in the Constitution.

Youths unemployment

The high rate of unemployment in Kenya has been a major factor in the spread of drug and substance abuse in the country. At the same time, thousands of young people are finishing their schooling without any jobs.

War against poverty.

Extremely poor areas can easily turn into soil for drug abuse and illegal trade. Economic hardship is a risk factor for families to fall into addiction, and vulnerable people are recruited into trafficking and the illegal alcohol industry by criminal networks.

Enabling livelihoods should thus be a key component of the government’s anti-drug policy. The government can alleviate desperation that drives drug consumption and trafficking by effectively creating sustainable jobs, assisting small businesses, investing in agriculture, improving social protection programmes and ensuring fairer economic growth.