TOWN COUNCIL OF

KARURI

REPORT ON:

EMPLOYEE ALCOHOL, DRUG AND

SUBSTANCE ABUSE BASELINE SURVEY

By:
Pivot Strategic Management Consultants
P.O BOX 2292-00200
Nairobi
JUNE 2010
1
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents Page

DEFINITION OF TERMS 3

SECTION 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4

SECTION 2: SURVEY RESULTS 5

GENERAL COMMENTS
9

SECTION 3: RECOMMENDATIONS CONCLUSION

10

Appendix I: Signs of substance and drug abuse 12

Appendix II: Questionnaire used for Survey 13

Town Council of Alcohol and Drug abuse Survey-June 2010 2

 DEFINATION OF TERMS
Alcohol
Alcohol means any beverage that contains ethyl alcohol(ethanol).Alcohol is a sedativehypnotic
drug obtained by fermentation of carbohydrates using yeast. The active form of alcohol is ethyl
alcoholorv ethanol and is sold in many brands. E.g beer, wine, whisky, chang’aa, busaa,
muratina and mnazi.

DRUG
A drug is any chemical which if taken into the body can affect one or more of the body’s
functions. This includes those substances that are useful to the body and those that harm the
body. Some are licit drugs i.e. their sale does not violate the law while others are illicit i.e. their
possession, sale or purchase is prohibited by law.

Drug Use
This refers to the use of illegal drugs or the inappropriate uses of legal drugs. Commonly
abused drugs include alcohol, bhang tobacco and miraa.

Tobacco
It’s a legal cash crop and is grown in some parts of Kenya. Tobacco is usually consumed in
form of cigarettes or cigar. Apart from being smoked it’s also sniffed or chewed. Nicotine is the
substance found in tobacco that makes its addictive. It’s now known that smoking affects the
lungs, increases blood pressure, causes cancer infection, reduces sexual libido, can cause
infertility leading to impotence and causes indigestion. It generally affects the quantity and
quality of life to the users and the people around them.

Bhang(Cannabis Sativa)
It’s a wild plant that grows throughout most of the tropical and temperate regions of the world
including Kenya. There are drugs that come from this cannabis plant as discussed here
below:-

Marijuana-Bhang
Its green, brown or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves stems seeds and flowers. The
mixture is usually smoked as a cigarette or in a pipe or bong. It’s an illegal drug and its active
ingredient is called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Hashish
Hashish or hash consists of the THC-rich resinous material of the cannabis plant which is
collected, dried and then compressed into a variety of forms such as balls, cakes or cookies
like sweets. Pieces are then broken down, placed in pipes and smoked.

Hashish oil
This is produced by extracting the cannabinoids from the cannabis plant with a solvent. The
colour and odour of the resulting extract varies according to the type of solvent used.

Miraa (Khat)
It’s a natuarally ocuring stimulant delived from the Catha edulis shrub.its legal and an important cash
crop in some parts of Meru, Embu, Mbeere and Nyambene districts in Kenya.

Cocaine
It’s a white crystalline, alkaloid illegal stimulant /substance that act as a local anesthetic. There are two
types of cocaine (i) white crystalline powder and (ii) crack or rock cocaine. Powder cocaine is generally
snorted or dissolved in water and injected. Crack cocaine is usually smoked.

Heroine
It’s a semi-synthetic derivative produced by the chemical modification of morphine. Pure heroine is a
white powder with a bitter taste. Most illicit heroine varies in colour from white, dark brown to dark. It’s
smoked, injected or snorted.

Town Council of Alcohol and Drug abuse Survey-June 2010 3

 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The aim of this survey was to investigate the current status of alcohol, drug and substance use
among the staff of the Town Council of Karuri and how this affects staff performance and delivery
of services to the residents of Karuri.
The information collected by the survey is expected to provide a basis for formulating policies and
interventions for control of alcohol and substance abuse among the Council employees.

Objectives.
As spelt out in the Councils Performance Contract, the main objective of this survey was to assess
the nature and magnitude of alcohol andsubstance abuse among the employees of the Town
Council of Karuri. Specifically, the survey sought to:
• Establish the awareness level of alcohol and substance abuse among the Council
staff
• Identify the types and quantities of alcohol, drugs and substances abuse
• Establish contributing factors causing initial alcohol and substance abuse among
staff
• Identify specific problems faced by those staff abusing alcohol and drugs
• Recommend initiatives that the Council can implement in order to fight alcohol and
drug abuse among her staff
In summary our findings indicate that:
• There is alcohol/drugs use/substance abuse among the staff members of the council
• The alcohol/drugs use/abuse affects efficiency and work performance of some members of
staff and quality of the services rendered by the council
• The alcohol/drugs use/abuse may be having adverse effects on
• There is a fair awareness on the negative effects of alcohols/drugs by the Council
employees

Survey Methodology
The study utilized primary data collection methods to gather data/information for analysis. In this
case, both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used.The field data was collected
using structured questionnaires administered by well-trained research assistants who guided the
respondents in filing in the questionnaires.

Sample Size
The survey targeted all the staff of the Town Council of Karuri However, as it was not possible to
interview each and every member of staff, a sample of 35 members of staff were interviewed
representing 64% of the total Council establishment located in the Town Council of Karuri
headquarters includingthe revenue office at banana.

Target Group
The respondents comprised of 11 male and 24 female staff members. 28 of them were married
while7 were single. Most of the respondents were of Christian descent totaling to 25 while 10 said
they don’t go to church. 78% of the respondents interviewed were in the age group of 25-40 years,
while only 22% were above 40 years.

Those interviewed came from the various sections in the Council ranging from markets,
enforcement, revenue, works, bus-park, accounts, community and administration.

Questionnaire
A tentative questionnaire was developed by the consultant based on the issues to be investigated
in the survey. The aim was to obtain feedback from the representative sample of the Council
employees in regard to the variables being investigated.
In designing the questionnaire, the following factors were considered:
• That it be easy to read and understand

Town Council of Alcohol and Drug abuse Survey-June 2010 4

 • That it be concise and easy to complete

SURVEY RESULTS

2.0 ALCOHOL/DRUGS AWARENESS

This survey sought to establish the current awareness status on types of alcohols/drugs and
the effects of their use/abuse.

The results were as follows:

2.1 Types of alcohol/drugs

From the results of the survey, the workersshowed a relatively good awareness of available
alcohol/drugs. Out of 35 respondents, 28 (80%) were aware of more than seven types of
alcohol and/or drugs, while 7 (20%) knew of more than three types.The following drugs were
mentioned
• Bottled beer like tusker
• Changaa
• Bhang
• Spirits
• Wine
• Kane
• Local beer like ‘muratina’
• Cigarettes
• Miraa
• Drugs like cocine

2.1.1 Signs of alcohol and drug abuse on individual members of staff in the Council

More than 85% of members of staff interviewed said they are aware of their colleagues who
abuse alcohol/ drugs in the Council and said its manifested in the following ways:-

• Coming in the office with hangovers

• Poor health conditions
• Coming to work late
• Bad mouth/ body odour
• Untidiness
• Unexplained absenteeism from the office
• Being unfriendly and cruel
• Underperformance and being irresponsible

2.1.2 General effects ofalcohol/drugs

The survey also indicated a fair awareness of effects of alcohol/drugs use. 24(68%)
respondents are aware of more than 15 effects, 7 respondents knew more than five effects
while fourrespondents (11.4%) in the age bracket of between 27-36 years who take alcohol
responded that they are not aware of any effects. From the survey, womenwere more aware
of the effects thantheir male counterparts.Incidentally males are more affected than their
female colleagues. The staff gave the following as the effects of alcohol and drug abuse in the
Council:-

1. Lack of commitment at work8. Low self esteem

2. Irresponsible 9. Involuntary shaking of hands
3.Loneliness 10. Misappropriation of revenue
4.Lack of respect 11. Family negligence, abuse and rejection
Town Council of Alcohol and Drug abuse Survey-June 2010 5
 5.Lack of personal improvement12. Sneaking and absenteeism from work
6.Low libido 13. Poor health
7.Stress and depression14Untidiness

15.Caress sexual activity leading to HIV/AIDS 20.Disorganised personality

16.Poor concentration 21. Dishonesty and use of abusive language
17.Financial crisis as one is always broke 22. Poor memory
18.Loss of appetite 23. Death
19.Can lead to divorce

Overall, 15% of the respondents said the consumption of alcohol and drugs has worsened
their sexual performance and marriage life.

2.2 Prevalence Rate

The survey sort to establish the prevalence and frequency of consumption of alcohol/drugs
among the Council employeesand out of the 35 respondents, 42% indicated that they do not
use any alcohol/drugs, while 58% responded that they use alcohol/drugs. Those who use
alcohol/drugs indicated that they have used them for a period ranging from two years to over
25 years.

From the analysis,the council staff uses beer, traditional brews, wine and spirits, miraa
chang’aa, cigarettes, kumikumi, Kane,heroine, bhang and cocaine. Beer and spirits are
themost commonly used with a representation of 82%.

The popularity of various drugs/alcohol is as follows:

Alcohol/drugs popularity

8% 3%
Beer/keg
8%
Kane
Wine and Spirits 5%

Chang'aa 52%
10%
Cigarettes
Bhang
Cocaine
14%

2.2.1 Frequency
Of those who take alcohol/drugs, 14% responded that they use drugs/alcoholafter office hours
while 72% saidon weekends and 8% during the day. Only 6% consume alcohol/ drugs
occasionally. Those who use alcohol and drugs after work and on a daily basis are mostly
those from the Bus Park and markets.

Frequency of alcohol/drugs use

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%
20%
Weekends After work During the day Occasionally
Frequency

2.3 Factors that explain alcohol and drug abuse

According to the analysis, the workers attributed their engagement to the use of alcohol and
drugs due to several reasons as explained below.
Town Council of Alcohol and Drug abuse Survey-June 2010 6
Reasons for engaging in alcohol/drugs use

From the survey 58% of members of staff stated they started using alcohol and drugsdue to
social reasons and peer pressurewhile 28%said was due to work and family crisis.10% said it
was due to personal problems and work stress while the rest comprising of 4% of those
interviewed said it was due to loneliness and to feel cool.

2.3.1 Breaks in use of alcohol/drugs

From the survey 36% of the respondents had at one time or another stopped using
alcohol/drugs for a period raging from three months to two years.The reasons given for taking
a break ranges from own volition to health complications as follows:

Reason for taking a break

from alcohol/drugs
use

5 Own Volition
9
%
%
Health
Complication
14 40
s
Lack of
% %
moneymoney

Due to
salvation
32
Rehabilitation
%

2.3.2 Reasons for resuming alcohol/drugs use

From the survey, 13% of those interviewed said they resumed taking alcohol/drugs after
stopping for some time.Most said their main reason for this was due to peer pressure with a
representation of 56%. Other reasons were given as below:

Reasons for resuming consumption

80
70
60
50
%

40
30
20
5
Peer pressure Loneliness To socialize Stress
2.3.3 Addiction Status
The survey found out that 70% would wish to stop using alcohol/drugs while 23% respondents
stated that they would not wish to stop as they feel addicted and relaxes their mind.
For those willing to stop the use of alcohol and drugs, 60% said the Council should consider
introducing counseling services to them while 7% requested for spiritual guidance. The rest
comprising of 33% said they are willing to join a support group to help them stop the
consumption of alcohol and drugs.

2.4 Self Implications of alcohol and drug abuse

Town Council of Alcohol and Drug abuse Survey-June 2010 7
For the purposes of this survey, the respondents were to state the effects of consumption of
alcohol/drugs on their financial status, work performance, their sexuality, health, social life and
if married, their marriage life. For each of these areas they were to state if there was
improvement, worsening or no effect. The results were as follows:

Effects No Improved Not Worsened

responde Improved
d
% % %
Financial status 23 0% 85% 15%
Work performance 18 0% 48% 52%
Sexuality 26 2% 60% 38%
Health 12 0% 44% 56%
Social life 30 0% 58% 42%
Marriage (if married) 19 0% 12% 82%

From the analysis, the effects of consumption of alcohol/drugs on individual staff members
can be explained using the following chart:

Individual effects of alcohol/drug use

2%

48%
Improvement
Worse off
No change
50%

Town Council of Alcohol and Drug abuse Survey-June 2010 8

 GENERAL COMMENTS

However, regarding the causes of alcohol in the Council the staff gave the following reasonsas
the probable causes of abuse of alcohol and drugs among the employees of the Town
Council of Karuri:-

• Frustrations in the field

• Culture and traditions
• Availability of cheap liquor
• Peer pressure
• To release stress
• Family problems
• Poverty
• Low salaries
• Idleness
• It’s like a habit to some staff

Among those interviewed, 70% agreed that the consumption of alcohol/ drugs affects staff
work performance and subsequently the quality of Council service to its customers. They
gave the following reasons:-

• Absenteeism from duty

• Poor performance of duties
• Corruption through taking of bribes to get money for beer
• Lack of courtesy
• Wastage of time
• Rudeness
• Lack of adherence to work ethics
• Disobedience
• Poor interpersonal relationships with clients and colleagues
• Lateness at work

From the above, the employees came up with the following suggestions on what the Council
should do in order to mitigate against the abuse and consumption of alcohol and drugs among
the Council workers

• Regular sensitization of staff on the effects of alcohol and drug abuse

• Constitution of a committee to counsel and monitor drug and substance abuse
• Close supervision of field staff
• Provision of Counseling services to those affected-(Counseling units)
• Creation of peer support groups within the staff fraternity
• Holding of regular seminars on alcohol and drug abuse including use of videos
• Provision of extra-curriculum activities like darts, pool etc
• Use of role model employees
• Deduction of salaries from those who abscond duty due to drunkenness
• Appreciating and motivating deserving staff members
• Development of an alcohol and drug policy for the Council
• Inclusion of the policy in the Councils staff code of conduct
• Creation of a Council rehabilitation centre

Town Council of Alcohol and Drug abuse Survey-June 2010 9

 RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION

3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
The staff gave a wide of recommendations that would help curb the abuse of alcohol and
drugs among the Council employees. Based on the results of this, the following are our
recommendations:
1. The Town Council of Karurishould develop a work place alcohol and drugs abuse policy
as a commitment to ensure:
• There is a safe and healthy workforce within the Council
• Employees are working in an environment free from alcohol and drug use/abuse
• There is a procedure of dealing with alcohol and drug use/abuse in the Council
• There is an opportunity for staff with alcohol and drug use/abuse problem to get
well rather than provide the grounds for the council to terminate
theiremployment.

2. It should be a requirement that staff working at the council should be sober while
reporting on duty so that they are able to perform assigned duties safely and efficiently
without any limitations.This should be enforced in the Councils code of conduct.

3. Form a support group for those staff abusing alcohol and drugs within the Council
establishment.

4. Those employees who go or drink during office hoursnegatively affects delivery of

services and safety of other staff.

5. The council should prohibit use of, sale, purchase, offer to purchase or sell, distribution,
consumption or possession of alcohol/drugs within the workplace. This should be
enforced in the code of ethics and HR policy.

6. The council should recognize the fact that a certain population of the staff will develop
diseases of chemical dependence, usually characterized notably by denial from those
suffering from it, and that dependency on alcohol and/or drugs can be successfully
treated. The council should encourage the staff members who suspect they have a
substance dependency or emerging alcohol/drug problem to seek advice and follow
appropriate treatment promptly.

7. The heads of departments and sections should be responsible for identifying a situation
in which they have concerns about an individual’s immediate ability to perform their job
and take appropriate steps.

8. Counseling is urgently required and therefore the Council should form a cancelling unit
as a section in the social services department.

9. The Council should engage the services of a professional counselor or institution at

least to offer specialist help and advice. This can be in a form of training or focus group
discussion. This should be spearheaded by the Council committee on alcohol and drug
abuse.

10. There needs to be a sober approach towards those employees addicted to alcohol and
drugs. Those willing to go to rehabilitation centres should be supported both morally
and financially by the Council.

Town Council of Alcohol and Drug abuse Survey-June 2010 10

 11. The Council should engage the services of a spiritual guidance for those willing to
change their way of life.

CONCLUSION

The study comes to a conclusion that alcohol/drugs use has an effect on the staff of the Town
Council of Karuri and that there needs to have intervention measures to curb this
phenomenon. There is also a need to encourage positive actions to enable the Council
workers resist from excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs while on duty.
Those going to the field should be closely monitored by their supervisors to avoid cases of
going to enforce revenue collection while one is drunk.

Town Council of Alcohol and Drug abuse Survey-June 2010 11

 APPENDIX I

SIGNS OF ALCOHOL, DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Emotional signs of alcohol, drug and substance abuse

• Irresponsible behavior
• Personality change
• Sudden mood change
• Irritability
• Poor judgment
• Low self esteem
• Depression

Physical signs of alcohol, drug and substance abuse

• Red and glazed eyes

• Fatigue
• Repeated ill health
• A lasting cough especially for smokers
• Difficult in concentration and memory lapses
• Slurred or incoherent speech
• Marked deterioration in physical hygiene
• Watering eyes and nose
• Dilated pupils and red eyes
• Dark circles under the eyes and blank facial expression
• Burn holes on clothing, burnt finger tips and skin rush

Family, social and work related signs of alcohol, drug and substance abuse

• Unreasonable arguments
• Lateness and absenteeism from work
• Breaking of rules and regulations
• Drunkenness during office time
• Withdrawal from workmates
• Involuntary shaking of lips and hands
• Red mouth lips and unexplained scars on the face
• Evasive new friends
• Unconventional dressing code

Town Council of Alcohol and Drug abuse Survey-June 2010 12

 TOWN COUNCIL OF KARURI
STAFF BASELINE SURVEY ON DRUGS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

The Council in its Performance Contract of 2009/2010 committed itself to undertake the above study
among her employees. This questionnaire is therefore being used as a tool to carry out a survey to
measure the level of awareness, usage and/or abuse of alcohol/drugs among the staff of the Town
Council of Karuri. Please fill the questionnaire as exhaustively as possible.

Definitions:NB. Please don’t write your name

A Drug is any substance which if taken into the body can affect one or more of the body’s functions.
This includes those substances that are useful and those harm the body.

1. Personal Information (Tick one)

a. Sex :Male Female

b. Marital Status :Married Single Divorced Windowed

c. Religion:Christian Muslim African Traditional Pagan

d. Age : 20-35 36-50Over 51 years

e. Department----------------------------------------.

2. HISTORY OF DRUG ABUSE

a. Do you know what is alcohol/ drug/ substance abuse? YesNo

b. Do you know of any colleague in the Council who abuses alcohol/ drugs? YesNo

c. If yes, how is this manifested?(Signs of abuse)

1. ----------------------------------------------- 4 -----------------------------------------------
2. ------------------------------------------------ 5 -----------------------------------------------
3. ------------------------------------------------- 6 ------------------------------------------------

d. What types of alcohol/ drugs are you aware of? Please name them here below

1-------------------------------------------- 5--------------------------------------
2--------------------------------------------- 6--------------------------------------
3-------------------------------------------- 7--------------------------------------
4--------------------------------------------- 8---------------------------------------

e. Do you yourself take/ use any type alcohol/drugs? Yes No (If No go to Qst. 3)

f. If yes, what types of alcohol/ drugs do you take/use?

1. ---------------------------------------------------
2. ----------------------------------------------------
3. ----------------------------------------------------
4. ----------------------------------------------------
Town Council of Alcohol and Drug abuse Survey-June 2010
5----------------------------------------
6----------------------------------------
7----------------------------------------
8----------------------------------------
13
 g. When did you start taking alcohol / drug(s) Year------------Cannot remember

h. For the above types alcohol /drug (s) how long have you been taking it/ them?

Drug(s Name of Drug/ Alcohol Period of usage in months/years

1
2
3
4
5

i. Why did you start using alcohol /drug(s)/?

Loneliness Peer pressure Family /Work crisis Stress.

j. Personally, what time of day do you use/consume your alcohol/drugs?.

During the day At Lunch time After office hours

k. How often do you use alcohol/drug(s)? Hourly Daily Weekly

On weekends occasionally

l. Why are you using alcohol /drug(s) now? To escape from family crisis/stress

Peer Pressure To feel good/ cool Work Stress To socialize

m. How has the consumption of alcohol drug(s)/ affected you in each of the following
categories -

I. Financially:ImprovedWorsened Remained the same

II. Work Performance: ImprovedWorsened Remained the same

III.Work performance: Improved Worsened Remained the same

IV.Sexually :Improved Worsened Remained the same

V.Your health: ImprovedWorsened Remained the same

VI.Social life: ImprovedWorsened Remained the same

VII.Marriage /Family life : ImprovedWorsened Remained the same

2.1 . Would you wish to stop using alcohol /drug(s)? Yes No

a. If yes, what assistance would you need form the Council management?

Counseling Charge of work stationRehabilitation support

Spiritual guidance Family Re-union Others (Name) -------------
Town Council of Alcohol and Drug abuse Survey-June 2010 14
2b. Would you like to be part of a support/ Counseling group for those staff addicted or
abusing
alcohol drugs in the Council? Yes No

3. USAGE INTERVALS

a. Is there a time you had stopped using alcohol/drug(s)? Yes No

b. If “Yes” for how long did you stop?

3 Months 3-12 months 1-2 years Over two years

c. Why had you stopped usingalcohol /drug(s? Own volition High price of Alcohol/Drugs

Due to lack of money Got saved Health complications

d. Why did you start using alcohol/ drug(s) again? Peer pressure Loneliness

Stress Family /Work crisis others (name them) ---------------------

4. EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL/DRUG(S) USE

a) Is consumption of alcohol drug(s)/ good? Yes No

b) Please list for me the various effects of alcohol/drugs use you are aware of?
1. _________________ 5. ________________
2. _________________ 6. ________________
3. _________________ 7. ________________
4. _________________ 8. ________________

5. GENERAL COMMENTS

a. If your own view, what do you think are the causes of alcohol/drug abuse among
employees of the County Council of Kiambu
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

b. In your own view, do you agree with the statement that ‘Alcohol/drugs/substance
use by Council staff affects their overall work performance’
Yes No
If yes, how? (List your reasons below)
_________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

C.Pleasegive suggestions on what the Council should do in order to fight drugs and
substance abuse at the work place
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Town Council of Alcohol and Drug abuse Survey-June 2010 15