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"content": "(Mr. ole Metito): Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to also add my voice in support of this very important Motion. Drug abuse is a disease and the craving that a drug addict feels for the substance can be as strong as the need for food or water. So, one will continue to use drugs despite the seriousness of the effects that last for the person's lifetime. In relation to the youth, today's young people have turned to drug abuse out of curiosity in order to socialise, fit in, or forget their problems, among many other reasons. Therefore, this has led to serious health problems, social and economic effects and even political problems. In the Ministry of Youth Affairs, we are finalising a comprehensive National Action Plan on Youth and Health, which will, in addition to providing a strategic framework of addressing various facets of youth's health, also gives a sharp focus on youth, drugs and alcohol abuse. The youth of this country constitute 32 per cent of our population and 65 per cent of our active labour force. But unfortunately, 75 per cent of them are not employed. In addition to that, every year, 500,000 of our youth graduate from our learning institutions into the labour market, but unfortunately, only 25 per cent get employed. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am bringing up these statistics because there is a direct relationship between drug abuse and unemployment. I strongly support this Motion that targets to protect our young people from the negative effects of drug abuse. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, one other issue that needs to be addressed by this Motion is the fact that there is inadequate documentation of data on drugs and even crime in Kenya. This is not just in Kenya, but in the whole Africa region. It is a fact that one-fifth of the world's population live in Africa and more than a quarter of all countries in the world are in Africa. The continent still remains the least documented region in terms of data and information on drugs and drug abuse. The absence of this has led to limited attention to information that could be used to solve crimes and drug problems, not only in this country, but in the whole of our region. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is very important for us to have an institution that will collect, analyse and disseminate information on drug and drug abuse in this country and in the 694 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES April 18, 2007 region at large. I, therefore, think the following should be done to keep the youth off drugs. Many hon. Members have said that there is need to have proper information and education on drugs and alcohol that targets the youth. Secondly, it is also important for us to have programmes that will encourage bonding between parents and their children. We should protect our children from drug abuse. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we also have sources of drugs and illicit brews targeting the youth. It is important for us to identify those sources and destroy them. We must also encourage alternative activities, such as sports, music, drama and dances to keep the youth busy, so that they do not indulge in bad activities. Fourthly, there is need to have early education and guidance on the effects of drugs and alcohol. This should be provided to the young people in the early ages. It is also important for the youth to have access to recreational and sporting facilities, for example, in schools and villages. Such activities should be encouraged. As one hon. Member has said, we need to have trained personnel to assist in identifying and developing young people's talents, which could be harnessed and put into productive use. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, finally, there is need for community resource centres to be established and stocked with relevant literature and information for the youth. The youth should be encouraged to spend their free time in such centres and by doing so, they will be putting their free time into productive use rather than engaging in criminal activities and drug abuse. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}