NACADA proposes amendment on narcotics law

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NACADA board director Vincent Muasya AKA Chipukeezy./COURTESY

Nairobi, KENYA: National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) now wants the law that regulates narcotics be amended in order to protect and safeguard lives of people that are arrested in possession of drugs.

At  a press conference in Nairobi, NACADA board director Vincent Muasya aka Chipukeezy said such people need help and be provided with medical care as a way of reform.

He pointed out the need of having an avenue where judicial officer can commit an accused person to a treatment and rehabilitation facility for them to get treated as well as to acquire vocational training that can help them upon completion of the treatment process.

“There is no doubt that the drug industry continues to adversely affect the development and security of our country. It is therefore important that law enforcement combined with social reintegration that creates viable and sustainable alternatives are created,” said Muasya.

The proposal comes following police crackdowns on a number of joints especially in Nairobi.

“I have received a number of complaints from a lot of people especially in Nairobi county citing harassment by police; this is not right, police should enforce the law and not break it by arresting people recklessly,” he added.

Chipukeezy also proposed there be a limit to the number of premises that can be licensed to operate in the counties.

An audit will be carried out in Nairobi County to establish how many bars are licensed as the war on illicit drinks intensifies.

This is after it emerged that there are more than 12,000 outlets selling alcoholic drinks in the city though the county’s Liquor Licensing Board has only licensed 4,000.

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