Drug Abuse Among The Youth In Kenya

Drug abuse is one of the top problems confronting the nation today especially among the youth. Incidences of drug and alcohol abuse and related anti-social behaviour have tremendously increased in recent years. This has become a matter of concern to the government, parents, teachers, Non-governmental organisations and all other relevant agencies. The Kenya government has recognised the seriousness of the drug problem and initiated the National Campaign against Drug Abuse (NACADA) in early 2001. This organisation is charged with the responsibility of coordinating activities of individuals and organisations in the campaign against drug abuse. Its mandate is to initiate public education c ampaign and develop an action plan aimed at curbing drug abuse by the youth. The study found that drug use and abuse among youth is increasing despite the control mechanisms that have been put in place. The paper recommended that as a first step to prevent and control drug abuse, parents should be sensitised on the dangers of drug abuse, the attendant problems and their functions as role models; schools should have a drug prevention curriculum from Kindergarten onwards teaching that drug use is wrong and harmful and that there is need for initiation of rehabilitation programmes for drug dependent persons. Key Terms: Addiction, Drug abuse, Effects, youth ————————————————————