Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 439837,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/439837/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 222,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Ichung’wah",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1835,
        "legal_name": "Anthony Kimani Ichung'Wah",
        "slug": "anthony-kimani-ichungwah"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, one specific function and objective I intend to give to NACADA will be the provision of support and assistance in establishment of treatment and rehabilitation programmes and centers in this country. As you may be aware, alcoholism and abuse of alcohol in this country has been a problem that has bedeviled it for many years. Hon. John Mututho did bring the principal Act, what is called the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill of 2010. I seek to bring amendments to this Bill. We want to create an environment where part of the money that is allocated to this agency goes into establishment of rehabilitation centers and treatment programmes that will help many of our citizens who are suffering from alcoholism and alcohol abuse. It is important, and that is a second principal of this Bill, to recognize alcoholism and misuse of alcoholic substances as a disease. You will realize that the second bit of the amendment that I seek to move is to have the agency and indeed the Government recognize alcoholism as a disease and the many disorders that emanate from misuse of alcohol. We need to recognize the diseases as defined by the World Health Organization. If we do that, then the agency and the Government will be able to access more funding in the same way malaria and HIV/AIDS are able to access global funds from the World Health Organization. Through that assistance, we have Antiretroviral (ARVs) centers established. Other African countries, through funding by the World Health Organization and other donor agencies, have benefited immensely. When we recognize alcoholism as a disease, we will be able to access more of this fund. I am also looking at our public hospitals. You recognize that in this country a majority of the rehabilitation centers that are there that deal with drug and alcohol abuse are basically in Nairobi and the areas surrounding Nairobi. These centers are out of reach for the ordinary citizens. You recognize that many of the poor Kenyans that lost their lives in the three or five counties when we were on recess are not Kenyans who ordinarily The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}