Substance abuse is a major issue in Kenya that needs urgent attention. The interventions currently being employed by stakeholders, including the government, have only exposed the need for a more comprehensive and inclusive strategy to address the problem.
According to the 2022 NACADA report on drug abuse in Kenya, most people start using cigarettes, alcohol, khat, cannabis, prescription drugs, cocaine, and heroin between the ages of 16 and 20. The report also reveals that the minimum age for tobacco use is 6 years, for alcohol (7 years), cannabis (8 years), khat (9 years), prescription drugs (8 years), heroin (18 years), and cocaine (20 years).
Most peope start drugs between age 16-20.
Nacada,2022.
Between the ages of 16 and 20, you are either finishing up high school or just starting your adult life in college or the workforce. I understand that in Kenya, not everyone gets to pursue higher education, as most graduates from high school don’t make it to tertiary education. They often have to start building their lives right after completing high school. Transitioning from a life of described order in school and at home to a life of self-rule.
Young people may start using drugs for various reasons, which cannot be fully explained in this article. However, there are ways to help them manage this transition into adulthood. Just as the sunrise gives us a glimpse into the nature of the day to come, the choices you make in your 20s can have a significant impact on your life in your 30s and beyond. Each decision we make throughout our lives can shape our future, and we ultimately become the sum of our choices. While young people have the power to make their own choices, many may still be struggling due to the environment they grew up in. This conditioning can be difficult to overcome.
Although the government has little influence on young people outside of mandatory education, parents and guardians play an essential role in educating and nurturing their children. It’s important to note that communication is key. If you want to influence someone, you must be willing to commune with them. Moreover, how we approach someone can determine our influence more than the content of our intervention. Spending quality time together and having open conversations can help families build strong relationships. It’s also important to avoid being judgmental, critical, or threatening. Imagine a boss who constantly reminds employees that they can get fired for every mistake they make. Such an approach may not be effective in building a positive and productive working relationship. While authority is a powerful tool for creating change, it’s not a passport to intimacy or friendship. When wielded appropriately, it can be a catalyst for lasting transformation in homes, schools, and workplaces.
How we approach someone can determine our influence more than the content of our intervention.
According to the report, certain regions in Kenya are facing more significant challenges than others. The report indicates that, in a selected sample group aged between 15 and 24 years, there was no significant variation in tobacco use between those living in urban and rural areas. The Central region had the highest prevalence of lifetime tobacco use, whereas the North Eastern region had the lowest.
Regarding alcohol, the report shows that in the 15-24 age group, individuals living in urban areas had a higher prevalence of lifetime alcohol use than those in rural areas. The Nairobi region had the highest lifetime prevalence of alcohol use, followed closely by the Central region.
When it comes to Miraa, those between 15-24 years of age, the lifetime use of khat was slightly higher in urban areas compared to rural areas. The Eastern region had a wide range of prevalence, with the highest and the second highest in the North Eastern region.
As for Cannabis, the report indicates that the prevalence of lifetime cannabis use was higher in urban areas than in rural ones. The Nairobi region had the highest prevalence of lifetime cannabis use, followed by the Central region. It is clear that the youth in the Nairobi and Central regions are at higher risk compared to other regions of Kenya.
boys are more affected by substance abuse than girls across all substances.
I am conducting a review of commonly used substances across the country. However, it’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive list; for instance, heroin and cocaine are highly prevalent in coastal regions but are almost nonexistent in the inland areas, except for major cities. Despite the fact that the last census shows that there are more girls than boys in the country, boys are more affected by substance abuse than girls across all substances.
While all young adults should be treated equally under the law, the reality is that there are differences in upbringing, cultural expectations, and societal pressures on the genders. It’s clear that the problem of drug and substance abuse has its roots in familial issues rather than legal problems. Trying to solve it with brute force, as often seen in national administration, will be ineffective. Incarceration has never been the solution to a family problem; communication is key. Reuniting children with their parents and spouses with their partners is crucial for the restoration of relationships. We cannot arrest our way out of this problem, but we can communicate effectively to find solutions.
As we come to a conclusion, both as a nation and as families, we need to ask ourselves some crucial questions about how we relate to each other. What can we do better to prevent drug use and help those who are already struggling with addiction and are willing to overcome it? Where are we failing in our approach to 16-25-year-olds? If we continue to accept the decline of our young people into drug addiction, then Vision 2030 and all that comes after it will remain just an aspiration. Where will we find the workforce to make it a reality? We must recognize this problem as a threat to family institutions in Kenya. I am sharing this write-up to bring attention to what I believe is a serious issue and also to have the chance to say “I told you so” if we find ourselves in a difficult situation because we refused to address it as a family and as a nation.
Where are we failing in our approach to 16-25-year-olds?
Selah.
To read the report, click here
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