African cardinal says family breakdown spurs rise in alcoholism

(Oct. 04, 2011) Cardinal John Njue of Nairobi in Kenya is attributing the rise of alcoholism among Kenyan youth to the breakdown in the family. The cardinal’s comments followed the deaths of over 30 people, who drank chemical-laced alcoholic beverages. “In areas where we have strong family support systems, these cases are fewer,” he said. Parents, according to Cardinal Njue, had abandoned their responsibilities of bringing up their children, leaving the young ones to grow up on their own. The prelate called for concerted efforts to restore strong family values, so as to check alcoholism and drug abuse. He said “The church had stepped in to fill the void by setting up structures to guide all sectors of the society and instilling strong moral values.” Cardinal Njue, welcomed government efforts to crack down on illicit and poisonous liquor but noted these had to be augmented with moral teachings. The government has launched a major war on illicit and lethal spirits packed in plastic bottles, following the death of at least 30 people after consuming drinks laced with dangerous chemicals. However, the church sees the crackdown as only a short-term measure, saying the individual has to be empowered to make the right decisions.
Cardinal Njue said the best place for instilling such morals was the family, but was disappointed that most families had fallen apart, exposing children, some at a tender age, to vices. The Catholic Church, he said, had put in place support mechanisms for people of all ages, to guide them on Christian values.