(Tangaza University College, 2000-02) Adeka, Justus Pius
In 1996, Mary Naliaka approached me at my place of pastoral work and expressed
her concerned over the issue of drug use and its abuse among the youth as a serious
problem in Consolata Parish in Westlands, Nairobi. It came to my attention that this
problem required urgently to be addressed to assist our youth that were at risk. The number
of young people using drugs was on the rise and what counted was the immediate concern
and quick intervention of the Church.
What could I do? The more I thought of this issue, the less prepared I felt to give
my contribution. Being a student of theology; what good could theology do on this social
issue of youth and drugs? What was the importance of learning theology in a social world
where young people abuse drugs? It was the concern I had for the youth and the
determination to provide suggestions to them that provoked me to write this essay. I was
confident that the Church in Kenya, particularly in Westlands could do something for
these youth. My contribution was to create awareness among the youth so as to curb this
problem in the parish. This is what this essay is all about as will be discussed in the
following Chapters.