The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has joined forces with like-minded institutions in the fight against alcohol and drugs abuse.
Speaking at a sensitisation forum with the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) targeting journalists in Nyeri, MCK Meru Regional Coordinator Mr Karanja Jackson said the campaign seeks to address drug and alcohol abuse in the county.
“As an institution, we appreciate the campaign led by the Deputy President Mr Rigathi Gachagua in fighting the misuse of alcohol and substance abuse in the country. Through a partnership with the National Campaign Against Drugs Abuse (NACADA) we will raise awareness of ways the media can be a vital tool in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse”, said Mr Karanja.
“The media has a responsibility to ensure that we report and inform the public on matters of public interest. We urge the media to take part in this fight by sensitising the public”, stated Mr Karanja.
He added that the media can help in raising awareness on the dangers of substance abuse by reporting on the negative effects of alcohol and drug use, such as addiction, health complications and violence. The media, he said, can also provide information on prevention and treatment measures on alcohol and drug abuse.
“Journalists can feature stories of people who have been affected by substance abuse to personalise the issue and make it more relatable to audiences”, said Mr Karanja.
NACADA Senior Public Education and Advocacy Officer Mr Andrew Githui, noted that the fight against drugs and substance abuse is not a one-tier campaign.
“As an institution, we understand that for us to deal successfully with the menace of alcohol abuse, we will need to draw together all our efforts from different institutions, most importantly, the media”, said Mr Githui.