Nature of Drug and Substance Abuse in Kilifi and Mombasa Counties of Coastal Kenya

Drug and substance abuse has become one of the looming human-induced disasters globally, making it a profound concern among comity nations owing to significant detrimental effects in almost every aspect life development. In Kenya, major social catastrophes with commonest most easily identifiable manifest public health. Specific objective study was examine nature drug selected counties coastal region, Kenya. The guided by learning theory functionalism theory. further underpinned interpretivism approach. used descriptive evaluative research designs, data collected through interviews focus group discussions. conducted Kilifi Mombasa Counties. Data from 552 respondents, who included 384 household heads, 20 victims, 2 county education officers, commissioners, health 70 administrative chiefs, 102 village elders, 9 head NACADA 8 religious leaders. revealed that is problem affecting individuals all ages socio-economic backgrounds. Commonly abused substances include alcohol 99% (383), khat 98% (378), tobacco 97% (376), cannabis 94% (364), heroin 89% (341), cocaine 88% (337), prescription drugs 85% (326), methamphetamine 80% (307). Both males 75% (289) 25% (95) females engage abuse. main causes menace are unemployment (380), poverty mental illnesses (373) curiosity experimentation 96% (370). recommends strict border control, adequate provision security personnel at posts, adoption new technologies aid surveillance monitoring tracking smugglers.