The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) is expected to launch a comprehensive initiative to engage universities and institutions of higher learning in addressing the growing concern of drug and substance use among students.
In a statement, Nacada CEO Anthony Omerikwa stated that the launch 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 universities and reveal alarming trends that demand urgent intervention.
According to Nacada, the initiative also complies with a directive from Ministry of Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen who 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" Nacada said.
"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.
According to the authority, it 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 said.
"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 called on all stakeholders to participate in the forums stating that the fight against drug abuse requires a collective active.
