{"id":280546,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/280546/?format=json","text_counter":197,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Prof. Olweny","speaker_title":"The Assistant Minister for Education","speaker":{"id":122,"legal_name":"Patrick Ayiecho Olweny","slug":"patrick-olweny"},"content":"Yes, I am aware that drug abuse and excessive alcohol consumption is among the causes of school drop-out. The Ministry has put in place the following measures to address drop-out cases arising from alcohol and drug abuse among learners:- (a) established guidance and counselling departments in all learning institutions; (b) strengthened working relationships with the office of the Coordinator of the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA), which includes incorporating alcohol and drug abuse issues into the curriculum; (c) capacity building for guidance and counselling teachers on alcohol and drug abuse; (d) established a permanent multi-sectoral structure to deal with substance abuse in some learning institutions; and, (e) further research on alcohol and drug abuse in learning institutions."}