Drug Abuse Fuels Insecurity in Langas
The residents believe that united and together, they can reclaim Langas from drugs and restore peace. The residents note that the fight should continue
Rural Women Peace Link convened a stakeholders' meeting to affirm a community action plan.
By Juliet Jerotich
Langas residents are raising an alarm at growing insecurity in the ward, and drug use and abuse of substances have been cited as the main reason. Parents, civil society groups, and community leaders assert that things are getting worse and threatening education, security, and coexistence in the ward.
On Friday, Rural Women Peace Link convened a stakeholders’ meeting to affirm a community action plan. The action plan aims to address drug abuse, which the residents refer to as the source of mounting conflict and crime throughout the area.
Clinton Gwako, the organization’s Program and Communications Officer, observed Langas was chosen because of its history of violence. “This ward always had a tense political environment during elections. Langas is politically sensitive and multi-ethnic, and hence prone to political and ethnic disputes,” he observed.
He said that drug and substance abuse have created a new level of insecurity. “We now have an enhanced joint action plan. The community is going to start working on it next week. The aim is to end drugs, peace, and preventing youth from getting involved in crime,” he further added.
They spoke passionately about the damage drugs are inflicting. Moses Otieno, who resides in Langas, said families are being impacted. “Our children don’t attend school. Those who try to do so get mislead by bad groups. Parents spend a lot of money, but the youths turn out idle and dangerous. This is a problem for us as a community,” he insisted.
Mary JaDudo, another contributor, explained that the crisis has hit families hard. “Drugs have destroyed our youth. Some of the girls sell their bodies just to raise money for drugs. Boys waste their youth in crime and drugs. This is now a community war. We call upon the county government, police, and other agencies to come and join hands so that we may recover Langas,” she explained.
Participants at the meeting agreed that Langas insecurity is triggered by drug addiction. They called for alternative jobs, enhanced police enforcement, drug rehabilitation centers, and youth counseling affected by drugs.
The residents believe that united and together, they can reclaim Langas from drugs and restore peace. The residents note that the fight should continue because the fate of their children and safety in their homes are at stake.
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