KATAA - Showing the co-relation between drugs and HIV/AIDS

KATAA - Keepin’ Away Threatening Abuse & Addiction

As stated in our mission, (StAY Alive Mission & Vision) we have a series of activities which we carry out to enable us fight the ills affecting us. We however acknowledge that without involving ourselves in society development and social works, our mission will only be a citation which does not have a lot of meaning.

Main Goal and Objectives:
The main goal of the Initiative is to assist in DEMAND REDUCTION. This is based on certain fundamental principals which include: -

• “Prevention is better than cure”: Providing information on drugs and drug abuse is crucial to enable our youth make informed decisions.
•Showing the co-relation between drugs and HIV/AIDS.
•Providing interventions to drug users and addicts by giving tit-bits on how to kick the habit and/or referring them to places where they can get assistance.
•Pointing the way to the One who can “fill the void” which we seek to fill with drugs. In this regard we seek to substitute the impact of drugs with Jesus Christ.

From the above goal and principles the following outcomes are expected:
•A reduction in the drug abuse menace in our society. Starting from our immediate environs, to the entire city and hopefully the nation, we envisage a future society that is drugs free.
•An enlightened community with respect to the dangers of being involved in drugs either use or trafficking (drug abuse).
•A Help Centre for people already entangled in drugs and substance abuse.
•A Resource and Co-ordination Base/Centre for Anti-Drugs Abuse Campaigners within
our immediate environment.

NACADA conducted a survey to show the co-relation between Alcohol Abuse and HIV infection in Nairobi. This survey was conducted with a view to; (i) establish the perceived link between alcohol use and HIV infection and the health outcomes of the HIV-infected; (ii) the relationship between alcohol use and the number of sexual partners and in particular the difference between men and women; (iii) find out whether exposure to HIV drives

individuals into alcohol abuse and how alcohol use influences health outcomes; (iv) alcohol use and decisions regarding condom use; and lastly (v) interventions that might be put in place to increase knowledge of the link between alcohol abuse and HIV infection. Please Read more on the survey by clicking here

After having a series of training/seminars on drugs and substance abuse with our parents, what role do the parents play in prevention and control of drugs and substance abuse?

NACADA commissioned a study to generate evidence to guide programmatic and policy interventions in the fight against alcohol and drugs abuse among children. The study sought to document knowledge and practice gaps among parents that may undermine parents’ ability to help their children mitigate alcohol and drug abuse.

This study recommends a review of policies that address the regulation of substances of abuse and

particularly those related to the access of alcohol and drugs to minors. There is also the need to

develop more strict laws on alcohol and drug use, with severe penalties for those who supply alcohol

and drugs to minors. The capacity of families to address the problem of drugs among their children

should also be developed by creating forums for parents to share experiences and equipping them

with guidance and counselling skills. Further, there is need for the establishment of promotive,

preventive, treatment, and rehabilitative services within easy reach of parents. Parents also need to

be made aware of such services. Read more

"Drug and substance abuse in Kenya as in other countries permeates every sphere of the society and, indeed, threatens the very fabric of nationhood. Effective response to the challenge of drug abuse as well as mitigation of the negative effects of use of drugs relies critically on accurate information on extent and pattern of use of various drugs and substances by different segments of the population. This report presents major findings of the 2007 Rapid Situation Assessment of Drug and Substance Abuse in Kenya. The survey covered the whole country. Its principal goal was to establish the extent of use of various drugs and substances to facilitate evidence-based programming among the government, the private sector, and other players involved in drug abuse prevention programme. Among other findings, the study established that Kenyans generally hold positive attitudes towards licit drugs such as alcohol, tobacco and tobacco products, and miraa and a good number use such drugs and substances. Peer pressure and availability of drugs in the community are closely associated with drug and substance abuse among children. There are a number of issues that need urgent attention for reduction in drug abuse among the different segments of the population including scaling up of prevention activities, development of behaviour change communication strategy, and review of drug and substance abuse policies." Jennifer Kimani (Mrs) MBS, National Coordinator(2007), NACADAA Read More