Addressing drug and substance use among university students in Kenya

Authors

  • Kirwa Lelei National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA))
  • Adrian Njenga National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA))

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.82793/7zmap810

Keywords:

university students, susbstance abuse, Drug and substance abuse

Abstract

Drug and substance use among university students in Kenya is a growing public health crisis, with studies indicating alarming prevalence rates. A recent study has shown that 45.6% of students reported lifetime use of drugs and substances of abuse; 25% were current users; and another 1 in every 12 students were struggling with addiction. Alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and prescription drugs (e.g., codeine, morphine) were the most commonly abused substances, with ease of accessibility both on and off campuses exacerbating the problem. Risk factors included peer pressure,stress, financial freedom, and prolonged waiting periods before university admission. This policy brief highlights key findings, identifies gaps in current interventions, and proposes evidence-based recommendations to mitigate substance abuse among Kenyan university students.

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Published

30-06-2025

Issue

Section

Policy briefs

How to Cite

Kirwa Lelei, & Njenga, A. (2025). Addressing drug and substance use among university students in Kenya. African Journal of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (AJADA), 13(2). https://doi.org/10.82793/7zmap810

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