Residents urged to stop abuse of drugs to reduce mental illnesses

Nyamira Wednesday June 28, 2023

KNA by Deborah Bochere

Residents in Nyamira have been urged to stop use and abuse of drugs and intoxicating substances reduce mental illnesses in the region.

This appeal was made by the County psychiatric coordinator at Nyamira referral hospital, Isabella Mirieri who said that majority of the younger generation who are using alcoholic drinks and other hard substances end up suffering from mental illnesses because of overindulgence and addiction to the drugs.

Mirieri who was speaking to the press observed that addiction to drugs and substance abuse or any other beverage or food not only enslaves the body but also tortures the mind which will always struggle to quench the body’s thirst or desire of a particular drug, food or beverage.

“Most people resort to drugs and substance use with an intention of giving the body some ‘cool and high’ feeling unknowing that the gratification jealously sought for is very detrimental to their body and mind and they gradually become addicted to a wanting level of losing their mental health stability,” Ms. Mirieri explained.

“Other people succumb to peer pressures thereby use and abuse drugs trying to seek for a sense of belonging and to live to the standards of their close associates. They overindulge, intoxicate their mind and body and eventually make use of drugs and other substances habitual,” psychiatric said

She noted that the addiction status destabilizes their normal day to day operations and drains family resources which are used to purchase the drugs.

She said, “drugs and substance abuse has led to several chronic and even terminal illnesses, it has led people to commit suicide and murder and has caused highly complex personality disorders which accelerates family conflicts and strains relationships which automatically leads to mental illnesses”.

Ms. Mirieri lauded other partners like NACADA who support people struggling to overcome the use and abuse of alcoholic drugs and related substances.

Masaba North Assistant County Commissioner (ACC), Joan Mitei said that they are working round the clock to end brewing of illicit brew saying that most of the young and energetic people expected to work and support their families have been stupefied and are languishing in liquor dens.

“We shall relentlessly fight illicit brew in this region because it is directly or indirectly associated with other criminal activities. There are serious crimes in this area like murder, defilement, assault which are closely linked to drugs and substance abuse,” ACC. Mitei stated.

Courtesy ; K. N. A