NAIROBI, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A five-day international conference on drug demand and reduction kicked off in Nairobi on Monday with Kenya committing to step up fight against drug menace and substance abuse in the country.
The conference, organized by Kenya's National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) in collaboration with the African Union (AU), brought together more than 1,000 delegates from across the globe.
In his opening remarks, Fred Matiang'i, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government, called on the international community to join efforts to tackle the drug menace which he said was a global problem.
"Kenya is committed to collaborate with the international agencies to ensure that criminals dealing in drugs are arrested and arraigned in court," said Matiang'i.
He said the east African nation is already cooperating with the international community by deporting those engaged in the international illegal trade in drugs.
He said that drug sale and abuse is a global problem that Kenya being one of the sufferers will participate in its reduction fully.
"Besides regional efforts, we have also put in place a multi-sectoral team that includes faith based institutions to help reduce drug abuse in the country," said Matiang'i.
Matiang'i noted that a drug abuse is a major problem in Kenya, especially with the young people in primary and secondary school.
A survey recently conducted by NACADA in Kenya shows that alcohol and drug abuse is slowly being dropped by people.
It, however, shows alcohol use has been associated with the highest burden of substance use disorders in the country.
The survey was the third follow-up of the 2012 and 2007 surveys that have been conducted to find out the trend of alcohol and drug use in the country to guide policy and programs.
