NACADA Takes Workplace Wellness Drive to Iten Police Station in Anti-Drug Campaign

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has stepped up its prevention efforts by conducting a targeted substance use awareness campaign for officers at Iten Police Station in Keiyo North Sub-County, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

The outreach, led by NACADA’s Elgeyo Marakwet County Coordination Office, focused on strengthening workplace wellness among officers of the National Police Service, with emphasis on substance use prevention, mental health, and improved job performance.

Officials said the initiative was designed specifically for law enforcement officers, noting that they operate under high-pressure conditions that can expose them to stress, fatigue, and other occupational challenges that may affect wellbeing if not properly addressed.

NACADA emphasized that protecting the health of officers is critical, given their central role in maintaining law and order, safeguarding communities, and responding to emergencies.

Speaking during the engagement, officials explained that alcohol and drug addiction should be understood as a chronic and progressive health condition that requires treatment, support, and rehabilitation rather than stigma or punishment alone.

The session also explored the wide-ranging effects of substance use, including its impact on physical health, mental stability, decision-making ability, and overall professional conduct. Officers were cautioned that impaired judgment in their line of duty could have serious consequences for both individual officers and the communities they serve.

A key focus of the campaign was workplace prevention, with NACADA outlining the benefits of early intervention programmes within institutions. These include improved productivity, stronger teamwork, reduced healthcare costs, enhanced mental health, and more efficient service delivery.

The officers were further taken through key findings from recent NACADA survey reports, which highlight patterns of alcohol and drug use across different segments of society. The data, officials said, is essential in guiding targeted interventions and informing policy decisions.

NACADA also underscored the important role that police officers play beyond enforcement duties, encouraging them to act as positive role models within their communities. Officers were urged to support prevention efforts by identifying early warning signs of substance abuse and referring affected individuals to appropriate services.

The campaign also introduced officers to NACADA’s toll-free helpline, 1192, which operates 24/7. Officers were encouraged to share the service widely and use it for support, reporting, or referral purposes when dealing with substance-related challenges.

Officials reiterated that strengthening the wellbeing of security personnel is directly linked to improved public safety outcomes, noting that healthy and well-supported officers are better equipped to serve effectively and fairly.

The initiative is part of NACADA’s broader national strategy to promote prevention, awareness, and rehabilitation, particularly among high-risk and high-stress occupational groups.

At the conclusion of the engagement, NACADA reaffirmed its commitment to continued collaboration with security agencies, stating that similar programs will be rolled out in other stations across the country as part of ongoing efforts to build safer and healthier communities.