A recent survey by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) shows an increase in drug abuse primarily, Cannabis.
Additionally, this has raised concerns about the growing prevalence of cannabis use with a key interest being among the youth.
However, the research reveals some glaringly menacing realities in drug initiation and use.
According to NACADA, the minimum age of initiation for various substances, including tobacco, alcohol and drugs, is startlingly low.
Consequently, the statistics show that children as young as six years old are being initiated into various varieties of tobacco-based products.
Shockingly, for prescription drugs and heroin, the age of onset is also early, at eight and eighteen years respectively.
The report shows a double-digit growth in bhang use in the last five years of data collection.
-Increase in Cannabis use-
In a turn of events from the latest report, approximately one in 53 Kenyans aged between 15 and 65 years, is currently using cannabis.
Evidently, in gender comparison, in the age bracket of between 15-65, males take the lead in being the primary hardcore drug abuser.
Reminiscent of that, the use of cannabis has featured an increase of almost 100% in the last year.
-Nairobi: The Cannabis Capital-
Nevertheless, the comparison via regions put Nairobi at the centre of drug use.
Apparently, the use of the drug among the youth is more prevalent in Nairobi than in any other place.
In addition, the report also provides insights into regional variations in cannabis use. The Nairobi region stands out with the highest prevalence of current cannabis use, at 6.3%.
Coincidentally, areas associated with heavy drug use such as the coast region rank at 1.9%.
-Should we legalize-
African countries are yet to talk about legalizing recreational use of cannabis.
Most experts fear that legalisation might lead to deeper addictions among the young setting generations back years.
However, the recent numbers shared by NACADA seem to be telling a different tale.
