Yes! My sons have drug problem

By Iddi Musyemi

Such are the painful words of acceptance from Al-Hajj Abdullahi Kiptunui, a parent and prominent Muslim leader, whose sons are struggling to kick the drug problem. Does such disclosure herald a new chapter in the fight against drug and substance abuse that has been part and parcel of the Muslim community?

It is a rare to come across a Muslim leader who has come out to declare publicly that he has sons or daughters who have a drug problem.

For Al Hajj Abdullahi Kiptunui, the SUPKEM Deputy chairman, it was not easy. He is a parent and Muslim leader with first hand experience on the struggle and challenges of raising sons who have succumbed to the drug menace now a hallmark in the Muslim society.

Currently. it is common knowledge that Muslim dominated areas that dot the country are known to be high consumers and abusers of drugs and substance abuse. Top among these drugs include, Khat (miraa), heroine and cocaine.

Thus, it must have been a tough battle for Kiptoniu given the rank he holds among Muslims as well as whether to go public or not.

So when the moment availed itself during the 3rd International Conference of Islamic Scholars and Faith-based Organisations in Drug Demand Reduction held in July this year, he went public.

Talking to Kiptunui, one notes the pain and frustrations of a parent witnessing the dreams and life of a son(s) swept down the drain courtesy of drugs.

“My eldest son is 40 years old now and he has been consuming changaa since he was in primary school. As a Muslim and in accordance with Islamic teachings, alcoholic drinks are prohibited. It all began when my son started associating with the wrong company and I knew there was problem. Initially, reports came about his drinking problem but like any other parent, I needed to confirm it myself. So when he fell on his way from school from a drunken stupor, I knew that I had to swing into action” narrates Kiptunui.

That was the commencement of the long journey of interventions which Kiptunui thought would change his drunken son’s ways.

“I took my son to an approved school away from his company and it seemed to work because after a while he had stopped drinking,” explains Kiptunui.

Soon, the son was back at home and was enrolled to another school. Luckily, he was able to finish school and after a brief respite from his drinking problem, he got a job as maintenance engineer at a public corporation.

“I thought this was the beginning of him being responsible but this was not the case. Actually, he was now able to buy alcohol easily and could only report to work after squandering his pay on alcoholic drinks.”

Kiptonui’s son never lasted on that job because he got fired.

Meanwhile, just like any parent, he/she wishes to have granchildren but at 40 years of age, Kiptunui’s son is yet to settle down and raise a family but he (Kiptunui) is still supporting him.

“His mother expected the son to support her but it is the other way round. As parents, you cannot just watch your child die. We have had to chip in and give him food and shelter among other basics, ” says Kiptunui.

As if all these was not enough, Kiptunui’s other son has completed his fourth form a few years back. “He too got ‘infected’ by the alcohol taking habits of his elder brother,” says Kiptunui. “He too is now an alcoholic.”

With recent reports of people losing their lives after consuming illict brews is another thing that worries Kiptonui.

He notes that drugs and substance abuse is an issue that calls for concerted efforts from the government, parents and society at large, Kiptunui calls for speedy interventions by all.

“Take for instance, the hard drug problem afflicting the Coastal parts of the country. Muslims are the drug barons, dealers, peddlers and consumers of the hard drugs. Not to mention victims.”

Besides calling on the government to act on this issue of drug abuse, Kiptunui also urges parents to be close to their children. “Bring together your family and especially the children because once they get influenced by their peers it will be hard to win them back.”

Kiptunui also calls for affordable centres of rehabilitating drug users to be established saying those that are currently in existence are expensive and few to cater for the high numbers of drug users.

At the end of it all Kiptunui’s message to the youth is that life is hard and as parents we look to you to support us in old age. “Whatever actions you take affect your family and society in general causing them undue pressure and suffering.

Source- www.thenewdawn.info