This archive report was first published on 14 August 2019.
Published on August 14, 2019, a study by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has exposed a disturbing trend of increased drug abuse in Kenya, particularly among secondary school students.
The research found that alcohol, prescription drugs, khat (miraa), tobacco, and bhang are the most commonly abused substances, with students initiated into use at a young age. Notably, 41% of students have knowledge of alcohol abuse, followed by khat at 32.6%, cigarettes at 31%, and prescription drugs at 30%.
According to the study, students mainly use drugs during school holidays (49.5%), on their way home (35.1%), within school environments on weekends (30.4%), and during inter-school meetings (27.8%). The research targeted a sample of 3,850 students, with a non-response rate of 4%, resulting in 3,908 students being interviewed.
When asked about sources of drugs, students listed friends (32.2%), carried from home (29.3%), bought from other students (25.7%), bought from nearby bars (22%), and from local brew dens (23.7%). The data further shows that students have mostly abused alcohol (23%), followed by khat (17%), prescription drugs (16.1%), tobacco (14.5%), bhang/marijuana (7.5%), and inhalants (2.3%).
Interior CS Fred Matiang’i confirmed that drug abuse is a threat to the youth today and vowed not to relent in the war on substance abuse. He commended NACADA’s move to focus on prevention measures through the African Journal for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (AJADA) and noted that evidence-based preventions will boost informed decisions among people.
“We won’t lose the war against drugs for the sake of future generations,” Dr Matiang’i said.
