NACADA Vice Chair Ann Mathu Addresses IPOA Staff On Alcoholism

 “It is only by being a friend to your alcoholic colleague, that you can help them. Separate addiction from the person. The person is good. It is important to understand that alcoholics or drug abusers have underlying issues, that need to be dealt with.”

This is what the Vice Chairperson of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) Board, Ms Ann Mathu said as she addressed IPOA staff members during a talk on substance addiction.

Ann Mathu is a familiar name and face to many Kenyans. For a long time now, she has been vocal about her personal struggles with alcohol addiction and the road to complete recovery.

Ms. Ann said she was introduced to alcoholism by her father and best friend, at the age of ten. Her father who was a senior administration officer at Thika Municipality, would three years later die in a car accident while Ann was in form one at Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls High School. It is during her grief that Ann’s relationship with drugs intensified.  “I was not given time to mourn my father. I felt empty, worthless and alone. Then I started sneaking alcohol and cigarettes into school to help me feel close to him.”

In college, she launched her modelling career and took part in the Miss Kenya pageant, where she was named first runner-up. This recognition enhanced her social standing and provided increased access to better-quality alcohol and party life.

Ms. Mathu would then encounter a series of major personal and professional setbacks, including the loss of spouses, jobs, and key opportunities. Nevertheless, she weathered the challenges and has now walked through the journey of sobriety for twenty years.

Known for her humour, charm, and insight, the author of Sober Again and founder of the Sober Again Outreach Program CBO, taught that addiction is chronic and incurable. “Addiction is not curable. It is only treatable and if left untreated, it can be fatal”, she said, asking for more patience and grace when dealing with addicts. She also noted that addiction affects everyone, either directly or indirectly.

She called for increased awareness, adoption of policies and cultures that encourage and support addicts, to turn their lives around. She also gave her commitment to front further collaborative actions between NACADA and the Authority, to advance the cause.

The impact of the talk will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression, promoting healthier lifestyles and fostering a more supportive work environment within the Authority, ultimately translating into improved public service.

The forum was facilitated by IPOA’s Counselling Unit, which remains open to provide psycho-social support to affected individuals seeking assistance from the Authority, as a result of police action or inaction.