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NACADA raises alarm over drug crisis, calls for measures to address menace

NACADA Board Chairman Stephen Mairori addressing the Session in Viena. (NACADA)

By Issa Hussein | 16 Mar 2024

NACADA's warning comes on the heels of a recent crackdown on psychoactive substances and synthetic drugs in Garissa town, where 10 individuals were arrested and brought to court.

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has sounded the alarm regarding the emergence of new psychoactive substances, including synthetic drugs, and a noticeable shift towards non-medical use of narcotic and psychotropic substances.

Healthline defines a psychotropic as any drug that affects behavior, mood, thoughts, or perception. This can include medications for anxiety and depression as well as antipsychotics, among others. It’s an umbrella term for a lot of different drugs, including prescription drugs and commonly misused drugs.

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According to NACADA, this shift has further complicated the drug problem, posing serious security and health concerns due to the potency of these new substances.

During the General Debate of the high-level segment at the 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, NACADA's Board Chair, Stephen Mairori, emphasized the urgent need to address these challenges. He stressed that failure to do so could jeopardize the hard-earned socio-economic and political gains made thus far.

"National efforts should endeavor to strike a balance between supply and demand reduction strategies that should be people-oriented, covering all areas in prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and availability of controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes," Rev. Mairori said.

Speaking at the session in Vienna, Austria, the NACADA Board Chairman called for united efforts among member states to tackle the global drug problem.

He reaffirmed Kenya's commitment to upholding the principles outlined in international drug conventions and standing firm against all forms of non-conformity, including the legalization of controlled substances for recreational use.

NACADA's warning comes on the heels of a recent crackdown on psychoactive substances and synthetic drugs in Garissa town, where 10 individuals were arrested and brought to court. This crackdown led to the closure of several kiosks selling these drugs, with confiscations made of illicit consignments.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale had called upon the Interior ministry and religious leaders to collaborate against drug and substance use in Garissa town.