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Tag: alcohol and drug abuse

  • NACADA survey reveals alarming drug abuse in universities

    NACADA survey reveals alarming drug abuse in universities

    The latest report by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) highlights a disturbing rise in drug and substance abuse among young people in institutions of higher learning.

    According to the 2024 Status of Drug and Substance Use in Kenyan Universities report, 45.6% of university students have used at least one drug or substance in their lifetime.

    Even more concerning is that 26.6% of students across both private and public universities are currently using substances such as alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and khat, as well as emerging drugs like methamphetamine and codeine syrup, which are increasingly making their way into student communities.

    “Data analysis on past-month use also showed an emerging trend in the use of new psychoactive substances among university students that were synthetic in nature, especially methamphetamine, ecstasy/ GHB/ LSD/ psychedelics, and ketamine” the report states.

    The study covered 17 universities,  both public and private, across all eight administrative regions of Kenya: Nairobi, Coast, Nyanza, Western, Central, Eastern (Upper and Lower), North Eastern, and Rift Valley (North and South).

    A total of 15,678 students were surveyed, consisting of undergraduate students from both public and private universities in Kenya.

    It further showed that alcohol was the most (87.3%) available substance with 1 in every 5 university students (18.6%) having used alcohol in the past month followed by cigarettes (64.4%), shisha (41.2%), vape/e-cigarettes (31.0%), nicotine pouches (30.7%), kuber (23.0%) and snuff/chewed tobacco (22.1%).

    Friends were identified as the main source of drugs for students, with 66.4% of respondents citing them as the primary source. This was followed by canteens, bars, and premises within the neighborhood at 59.3%, and fellow students within the institution at 56.0%.

    Other sources mentioned in the report, released on Thursday, included online purchasing through websites or social media (39.4%), canteens, bars, or premises within the institution (28.0%), support or non-teaching staff (11.4%), and lecturers or teaching staff (7.0%).

    The report further highlighted serious health concerns, including addiction and various forms of mental health disorders.

    It was found that female university students exhibit a higher prevalence of moderately severe (6.4%) and severe (4.1%) depressive disorders compared to their male counterparts (5.2% and 3.0%, respectively) raising significant concerns about the future of girls.

    CS Murkomen (centre) and IG Kanja at the launch.

    “We often think of drugs and substance use as an issue that predominantly affects men, but the reality demonstrated by this report shows that female university students are also becoming increasingly more vulnerable – a reminder to us that addiction knows no gender.” Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen who graced the launch regreted.

    Most astonishing were revelations that 70 per cent of the 2024 Gen Z demonstrators admitted to having smoked cannabis for the first time during the protests.

    The youth, mostly university students, reportedly confessed that they were lured into drug abuse after hearing claims that smoking cannabis could protect them from the effects of teargas.

    This prompted the Cabinet Secretary to issue a stern warning to political leaders, whom he blamed for exploiting youths by intoxicating them with drugs and alcohol to disrupt rallies or funerals.

    “Such behaviour will not be tolerated. We are committed to upholding the law and ensuring that those responsible face the full consequences of their actions,” Murkomen asserted.

    Murkomen pledged to implement regulations against the sale of inexpensive alcohol near educational institutions as a first step in combating drug and substance abuse among our youth.

    “Crime is a crime, regardless of whether it occurs online or offline. We must hold accountable those criminals who threaten our children’s future by selling drugs. Therefore, the Antinarcotics Unit within the DCI must enhance their efforts in enforcing the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act,” he directed.

    The National Police Service also expressed outrage at the grim statistics, vowing to tackle the issue head-on in order to save young people from further destruction.

    “If we have a problem with the youth then we have a bigger problem as a country. The youth are our future, we need to protect them. We need to upscale the Anti Narcotics unit to the level of the Anti-terror unit” Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja said.

    Safe spaces

    Diminishing safe spaces was a major contributor to the high drug prevalence. “The environment within the universities and the neighbourhoods were not drug-free spaces” the agency regretted even as it highlighted the rise in the number of students battling addictions and disorders.

    “Overall, the study showed increased vulnerability and high burden for past-month use of DSA among both male and female students; private and public universities; students not affiliated to any religion or those who were Hindu/ Buddhist; students in the third year of study and above; students residing at home or accommodated outside the institution; and those who were self-sponsored,” said Prof John Muteti, Director standards research and licensing.

    NACADA CEO Anthony Omerikwa, on his part, alluded to the fact that the vice was slowly evolving into a crisis that needed to be addressed urgently.

    “The report reveals a serious and growing problem of drugs and substance abuse among young people especially in the Institutions of higher learning. This is a national issue that requires collective attention,” he said.

    Consequences reported include absenteeism; failure to complete one’s degree program; increased conflicts and violence; mental health disorders such as depression; addiction; increased cases of sexual harassment and rape; and unplanned pregnancies.

    The report revealed that 47.1% of students had failed to sit for an exam or continuous assessment in the past year, while 36.5% had missed classes. Additionally, 38.8% were facing disciplinary cases.

    The agency acknowledged the critical role played by the media in the fight against drug abuse and pledged to work closely with media outlets.

    “The media plays a crucial role in the dissemination of messages on drugs and substance abuse to the general public and targeted audience. The media is a powerful tool that we cannot do without,” Muteti said.

     

  • Influencers under fire as NACADA calls out drug abuse content

    Influencers under fire as NACADA calls out drug abuse content

    The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has expressed deep concern over the rising trend of social and digital media influencers, as well as content creators, promoting the use of drugs and substances through their platforms.

    NACADA CEO Dr Anthony Omerikwa said this alarming development poses a significant threat to the fight against alcohol and drug abuse, particularly as it targets vulnerable groups, including children.

    Through a statement, Dr Omerikwa noted that the increasing number of influencers normalizing drug use in their content is undermining national efforts to curb substance abuse.

    “The content directed at young audiences glorifies harmful behaviour and threatens to reverse the gains made in protecting vulnerable groups from the negative influences of drug and substance abuse,” Dr Omerikwa stated.

    He urged influencers and content creators to stop using their platforms to promote or glamorize substance abuse.

    “We implore social media influencers to recognize their immense responsibility in shaping public behaviour. Promoting drug use is not just irresponsible, it is a violation of the law,” said the NACADA CEO.

    Dr Omerikwa reminded the public that under the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act of 2010 and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act of 1994, any form of promotion, advertising, or encouragement of drug use is illegal and punishable by law.

    He warned that those found violating these laws would face legal consequences.

    The NACADA CEO also emphasized the role of parents and guardians in safeguarding children from harmful content.

    “We encourage parents to closely monitor what their children are exposed to on social media. Many of these platforms lack adequate safeguards, and parents must enable parental control settings, educate their children about the dangers of drug use, and report harmful content to relevant authorities,” Dr Omerikwa advised.

    Furthermore, Dr Omerikwa called on social media platforms and content creators to uphold ethical standards and promote healthy behaviours among their audiences.

    He reiterated that NACADA would continue working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that individuals and organizations breaking the law are held accountable.

    For any inquiries or to report content promoting substance abuse, NACADA is urging the public to contact their toll-free helpline at 1192.

  • Pastor Dorcas intensifies campaign against alcohol, drug abuse in high school

    Pastor Dorcas intensifies campaign against alcohol, drug abuse in high school

    The campaign against alcohol and drug abuse was intensified during a meeting of more than 7,000 high school students at the Thika High School Grounds on Sunday Afternoon.

    As the students met for the Kiambu Annual Prayer Rally, the messaging was heavily integrated with advocacy against psychoactive and addictive substances.

    The NACADA 2022 Survey on the Status of Drugs and Substance Use in Kenya revealed that Central Kenya, where Kiambu is located, had the highest prevalence of portable spirits at 4.1%, and the highest use of tobacco at 11.9%. The survey also indicated that one in every 11 youths aged between 15-24 years was using at least one drug or substance of abuse, the age of high school students in Kenya.

    The spouse of the Deputy President Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, who was the Chief Guest, narrated about her visits to the drug dens of Mombasa, and rehabilitation centres across the country in great detail to inform the students about the dangers of alcohol and drugs.

    She told of those in the drug dens of Shimanzi, Mombasa County, who had injected every part of their body and were now pushing drugs through their chest area.

    “Young men, listen to me. I visited your brothers in the drug dens of Shimanzi in Mombasa, and they have injected themselves with drugs everywhere, and they are now injecting themselves through the chest, waiting to die,” said Pastor Dorcas.

    She painted the sorry state of the boys and men in the country, saying, “You will find them in the drug dens, in prison with a majority because of defilement cases, others are in hospital wards because of broken limbs from accidents, and also HIV/AIDs, and others have died and are in the mortuary,” she said.

    “If you are 25 years old, and imprisoned for 50 years, you will be released at the age of a grandfather or even die in prison,” Pastor Dorcas warned the students. She urged the students to focus on their studies and avoid negative peer pressure.

    She, however, told the students that the Kenya Kwanza Government had every intention, and had showed goodwill to fight alcoholism and drug addictions in the country, but urged the students to say no to the destructive substances and focus on their education.

    Different counties are working on legislation to regulate the consumption of alcohol in their juridistinction, in addition to the directives given by the Cabinet Secretary Interior Prof Kithure Kindiki during a meeting convened by Deputy President Rigathi at the Karen Residence days ago.

    The Regional Director Education, Sabina Aroni, present during the rally commended the government efforts to fight the consumption of illicit brews and drugs.

    “Your fight against alcohol and drug abuse has had a big impact. There are two schools where we struggled with high incidences of alcohol and drug abuse, but they have gone down significantly. When the students turn away from this destructive behavior, then generations will be safe,” she said.

    The move to target schools is strategic since the students are young and have not experimented with the addictive substances.

    KSCF Kiambu County Chair Richard Mureithi said the formation of clubs and societies in schools was instrumental in the growth and development of students, facilitating such rallies to impact the students.

    Mureithi said the rally was the 5th County Annual Prayer Day that began in 2018, but was not held in the years 2021 and 2022 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.