KDF recruitment exposes high drug abuse among youth in Garissa
During the exercise conducted at the Police Training Centre (PTC) grounds in Garissa town last week, many young people who turned up were later found to be engaged in drug abuse.
The recruitment exercise by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in Garissa underscored the alarming increase in drug and substance abuse in the county.
During the exercise conducted at the Police Training Centre (PTC) grounds in Garissa town last week, many young people who turned up were later found to be engaged in drug abuse.
It was an automatic disqualification for the applicants whose blood samples revealed traces of illegal drugs. In the recruitment exercise, medical and laboratory tests are a requirement for those wishing to join the Kenya Defence Forces.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Mahmoud Maalim, majority of the 250 applicants who turned up for the exercise failed the drug test, thwarting their attempts to be recruited into the forces. “On subjecting them to the medical tests, what came out is that there is an increase in the uptake of illegal drugs and substance abuse,” he said.
The disqualification is a reminder of the urgent need to increase drug prevention, rehabilitation programmes and sustained awareness campaigns to curb the rising tide of addiction among youth in the county.
Drug abuse remains a growing challenge in Garissa County, particularly among young people who face high unemployment rates, limited opportunities, and peer pressure. Areas such as Heller Street, Garissa Ndogo, Bula Sheikh, Waberi, and Iftin are known to be hotspots for drug trafficking and substance abuse in the county.
According to human rights activist Mohamed Hussein, the drug and substance abuse problem in Garissa reflects a deeper social issue that goes beyond the KDF recruitment process.
He said the problem cannot be left to the government and religious institutions, stressing that parents also have a crucial role in guiding youth toward positive values and healthy lifestyles.
The activists called on security agencies and the relevant bodies to crack down on those involved in the illegal trade of drugs in Garissa town and its environs.
"The time has come for all stakeholders—parents, local leaders, government agencies, civil society, and the youth themselves—to join hands in addressing the drug menace. If we don't act now, we risk losing an entire generation," he warned.
Last month, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale called on Muslim leaders in the country to join the fight against the vice. “We must take responsibility and get rid of drugs in our communities. The government cannot build a country when generations are being destroyed by drugs,” said the CS.