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{
    "id": 384980,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/384980/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 207,
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    "content": "to this country, which I think is a moral issue. Somebody feels he does not care the route he uses to get rich, even if it is through the lives of others; what matters is what he gets to become rich. So, I think the Government has to be serious. We have been told that this issue has been discussed several times in the last Parliament, but nothing came out of it. I think the Government has to address it for the interest of the future of this country. It is the same Government which is talking of Vision 2030 and, on the other hand, the vision is being derailed by the activities of those individuals. The Government has to take that bold step because I believe the life of an individual is not important when it comes to the lives and interests of a nation. The Government has to take this very seriously. It has to address the issue of drug dealers, both local and international. Recently, the President said that we must take foreigners back to their countries so that they go back and do what they have been doing here. However, we also have our own people doing this. Some of them are in high places. That has to be addressed and dealt with. The other issue is that of miraa which Sen. Abdirahman talked about. This is a serious issue in northern Kenya and the coast because people do not have anything to do. They engage in miraa chewing which affects their productivity. That is why development is not feasible. Those who should get involved in development activities are the ones involved in drugs. As you said, as much as it is locally produced, Kenyans dealing with these drugs should find alternative sources of livelihoods. If an area supports miraa, it can also support other cash crops. Let them also, in the interest of other Kenyans change their crop production and engage in the production of meaningful crops. There is also the issue of the creating awareness among the youth. This should be taught right from primary schools at an early age. Right now, it is being taught under Social Ethics. However, it needs to be emphasized and brought to the attention of these children that the path they are taking will affect their future. This should be done in a systematic way. This is a matter of life and death. The one being taught should know that if they take that path, then they will not be of any use to the nation. So, this has to be done at an early age. Punitive measures should also be taken against dealers of these drugs. The Government should commit itself to deal with the dealers especially with regard to drugs that are not produced in Kenya. If those who are bringing in these drugs are dealt with, we will have some hope in our children. Of late, some people have started abusing prescribed or pharmaceutical drugs. The blue peremende being talked about is a drug that is prescribed. When it is given to children, it becomes a case of substance abuse. The Government has to take this very seriously since it has a vision. This vision can only be achieved if the citizenry becomes active and contributes to the activities. It is the responsibility of the Government to ensure that it puts in place measures that will arrest alcohol and drug abuse so that we have a prosperous nation and, therefore, attain Vision 2030."
}