Policy Brief on National Survey on Alcohol and Drug Abuse among Secondary School Students in Kenya

Abstract

This survey on alcohol and substance abuse in Kenyan secondary schools contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the impact of alcohol and drug abuse in the country as a whole and the education sector. The school environment is a critical point of interaction between the students and society. The survey showed that the age of onset to alcohol and drug use marks the period of transition from primary school to secondary schools. The age between 13 to 15 years presents the most critical period for the students in secondary schools to initiate alcohol and drug use. The students are likely to initiate prescription drugs and inhalants at the age of 13 years; 14 years are likely to be initiated to alcohol, khat/ miraa, tobacco and heroin; and 14.5 years to 15 years initiation of cocaine and bhang respectively. The National Campaign Against Drug Abuse Authority (NACADA Authority) is mandated to undertake quality research on alcohol and drugs use to guide policy and programming in the country