The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) is launching a comprehensive initiative to engage universities and institutions of higher learning in addressing the growing concern of drug and substance use among students.
This follows the recent release of the Status of Drugs and Substance Use Among University Students in Kenya survey findings which highlight the prevalence of drug abuse in Kenyan universities and reveal alarming trends that demand urgent intervention.
The initiative also complies with a directive from the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, who has called for immediate action to curb this menace.
The Authority will conduct a series of regional engagements to bring together all stakeholders in the university education sector. These engagements will be held across various regions clustered as the former provinces to ensure inclusivity and effective participation. They will involve university administrators, students, staff, government agencies, and other key stakeholders in developing sustainable solutions to this challenge.
The recently released survey underscored the urgent need for collective action, revealing that a significant number of university students are engaging in drug and substance abuse, with alcohol, bhang, and prescription drugs being the most commonly abused substances.
The regional forums will provide a platform for stakeholders to share insights, identify root causes, and collaboratively design prevention and intervention strategies.
The engagements will also focus on strengthening partnerships between NACADA, universities, and other stakeholders to enhance prevention, rehabilitation, and awareness efforts. The Authority underscores the importance of equipping students with life skills and knowledge to resist peer pressure and make informed decisions.
“Prevention is our most powerful tool. By empowering students and creating awareness, we can significantly reduce the demand for drugs and build a resilient generation,” NACADA CEO Dr Anthony Omerikwa says. “NACADA’s initiative aligns with its broader mandate to create a drug-free society and underscores the Authority’s commitment to addressing substance abuse at all levels.”
The regional engagements will also serve as an opportunity to mobilize resources and share best practices to support universities in implementing effective drug control programs.
“The Authority calls on all stakeholders to actively participate in the forums, emphasizing that the fight against drug abuse requires a collective effort,” Dr Omerikwa adds.
