The most abused drug in the country among the general population (15-65 years) is alcohol, a survey has shown.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said alcohol abuse’ preference stands at 12.2 per cent followed by tobacco at 8.4 per cent, Miraa/Muguka at 4.2 per cent and cannabis at one per cent.
He said a survey done by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) revealed that the situation in work places is even more worrying.
Findings from among employees in public sector institutions in 2021 showed that alcohol is the most abused drug with a preference rate of 23.8 per cent followed by tobacco at 4.8 per cent, Miraa at 2.9 per cent and cannabis at 1.9 per cent among others.
He said there is a growing problem with drug abuse and illicit trafficking having permeated every sphere of society.
The CS added that another survey in 2016 among Secondary School Students demonstrated that schools have not been spared from the drug scotch as alcohol was noted to be the most abused substance at a preference rate of 3.8 per cent followed by prescription drugs at 3.6 per cent, miraa/muguka at 2.6 per cent, tobacco at 2.5 per cent and cannabis 1.8 per cent.
There was also evidence of abuse of heroin and cocaine at a preference rate of 0.2 percent, he said.
However, the narrative changes in Primary Schools as the survey conducted in 2019 indicated that prescription drugs are the most abused at 7.2 per cent followed by tobacco at 3.2 per cent, alcohol at 2.6 per cent and miraa/muguka at 2.3 per cent.
Cannabis remains the drug of choice amongst all groups even as the country has recorded evidence of new substances as reported in 2020 survey on emerging drugs whose report was launched.
“Of great concern is the fact that about 90 per cent of the existing rehabilitation facilities are privately owned and inaccessible to most Kenyans due to the fees charged.”
The Interior CS called on County Governments to appreciate the responsibilities vested on them by the Constitution on issues of drug control and invest their resources in prevention programmes and to put up more public rehabilitation facilities to address the growing problem of Substance Use Disorders and related mental illnesses.
