MIGORI: As the scourge of illicit drugs continues to ravage the youth in Migori County, parents are calling on both national and county governments to establish rehabilitation centers to aid in counseling and rehabilitating affected individuals.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mr. Daniel Obonyo, a resident of Awendo town, shared his personal ordeal with his son’s alcohol and drug abuse, urging government officials to allocate funds for constructing a treatment center. This center, he emphasized, would be vital in addressing the challenges of drug abuse, unemployment, and insecurity that are threatening the economy in Migori. Obonyo attributed the high rates of alcoholism among local youth to frustrations stemming from unemployment despite being well-educated.
Mrs. Angela Owiti from Migori town echoed these sentiments, pointing out that many youths involved in drug abuse hail from impoverished backgrounds, making it impossible for their families to afford rehabilitation services. The nearest facilities are located in distant areas like Homa Bay, leaving families helpless as their loved ones fall deeper into addiction.
Former Migori County Council Chairman Geoffrey Odera suggested that facilitating youth recruitment into the military and other national employment programs could help them adopt healthier lifestyles and move away from criminal activities contributing to local insecurity.
Miss Pamela Ghati, a student at Rongo University, criticized the government for not implementing constitutional provisions that guarantee fair treatment and opportunities for the youth. She highlighted the disparity between the law, which mandates that a third of government contracts be awarded to young people, and the reality, where bureaucratic hurdles prevent them from accessing these opportunities, driving them toward drug abuse and crime as coping mechanisms.