HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 179844,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/179844/?format=api",
"text_counter": 317,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Chanzu",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 11,
"legal_name": "Yusuf Kifuma Chanzu",
"slug": "yusuf-chanzu"
},
"content": "Thank you Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this very important Motion. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the Motion. We know very well that 70 per cent of the population of this country, and many other countries, are the youth. You can imagine what would happen if the few youths, who consume drugs, are able to influence the rest. We would be talking about a very big proportion of the population abusing drugs. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we know very well that the future of this country, and any other country, lies in the hands of the youth. That is why it is very important that we support this Motion. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the National Agency for Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) has been at the forefront in dealing with the question of drug abuse among the youths. Mostly, the issue of drugs is prominent among the youths. The old people who are affected are few. NACADA have tried their best. I would like to commend them a lot. We have very many institutions which have not done what they have done. A few weeks back, they circulated some invitations to Members of Parliament to send representatives to various places to attend seminars and those people can come back to the constituencies to disseminate information about the ills and evils of drug abuse. The problem with NACADA now, and that is the reason why we must support this Motion, is that it lacks the legal framework. It lacks the support that can enable it to perform its functions. Coupled with that, they cannot have resources. The people who are going to attend this workshop--- I sent them a man and a woman; when Kenyans go to distant places they expect to be given bus fare. They were given Kshs1,000. So, they called and asked me: \"Is this what we were coming for\". I am sure if this Motion goes through and then the Bill is brought here, the proposed authority will be able to source funds to run its affairs very effectively. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, drug abuse is a problem in itself, but it is also a source of corruption. In many countries like those in South America, drug abuse affects the entire nation. You can imagine that if our population, which is about 70 per cent youths, got into drugs and the whole country is affected, what will we be talking about? We shall be talking about a country which is corrupt and engaged in use of drugs. That is what we should avoid. That should also be November 12, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 3413 captured in whatever we are supporting. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank the Mover of this Motion, Ms. A. Abdalla, for taking the initiative to bring it in the House. I want to be among its pioneer supporters. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}