Strengthening the Fight Against Substance Abuse Through Faith and Community
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has taken a significant step in its efforts to combat substance abuse by forging a new partnership with the faith community. This collaboration was highlighted during a sensitisation meeting attended by over 60 religious leaders in Kapsabet, Nandi County. The event aimed to mobilise religious institutions to support community-based prevention and rehabilitation initiatives under the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI).
The meeting, led by NACADA Board Chair Bishop Stephen Mairori, underscored the vital role that faith institutions play in shaping values, mentoring youth, and supporting families affected by addiction. Mairori described religious leaders as “commanders on the frontline of a battle for the very soul of our communities,” highlighting their unique position to influence and guide individuals within their congregations.
Mairori noted that while NACADA operates in the spheres of policy and enforcement, religious leaders minister in the most critical arena of all—the human heart. He emphasized that this partnership is not just beneficial but essential. He also pointed out that alcohol remains the most abused substance in the Rift Valley region, with the worst effects being felt among young people and working-age adults.
“These numbers represent the hidden faces in your congregations—families suffering in silence, shrouded in shame and fear,” he said, urging clergy to use their pulpits to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage rehabilitation for those struggling with addiction.
Dr. Mairori reaffirmed NACADA’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the faith sector, describing the joint campaign as a “covenant of hope” aimed at restoring dignity and saving lives. He declared, “As breweries of despair work tirelessly, we must be the architects of hope. Let today mark a covenant between NACADA and the faith community of Nandi County—a united stand that declares, enough.”
Faith leaders at the meeting welcomed the initiative and pledged to extend anti-drug campaigns to the grassroots. Chairperson of the Nandi Interfaith Council Peter Rono stated that the Church was ready to work together with NACADA. He remarked, “When the pulpit speaks, the community listens.”
Sheikh Abdulahi Omar of the Kapsabet Muslim Welfare Group echoed the sentiment, stressing that addiction cuts across all faiths. “Addiction knows no religion. We must speak with one voice—a moral voice that heals and restores,” he said.
The Kapsabet sensitisation meeting forms part of NACADA’s national outreach programme to engage faith leaders, community groups, and local administrations in advancing a whole-of-society approach to drug prevention and rehabilitation. This initiative reflects a broader strategy to create a unified front against substance abuse, leveraging the influence of religious institutions to reach and support vulnerable populations.
By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, NACADA and the faith community are working towards a common goal: to build healthier, more resilient communities. The partnership highlights the importance of collaboration across sectors to address complex social issues like substance abuse.
Through continued efforts and shared commitment, the hope is that this initiative will lead to meaningful change and provide support to those affected by addiction. As the campaign progresses, it is expected to serve as a model for similar collaborations in other regions, reinforcing the power of unity in the fight against substance abuse.