A Study of prevention of drug and substance abuse by Kenyan Youth

Abstract

In the last two decades Kenya has suddenly experienced unprecedented abuse of drugs and substances that has rapidly burst into unmanageable levels. These drugs and substance of abuse are alcoholic beverages, tobacco, narcotics, cannabis sativa, inhalants, hallucinogens, tranquilizers, stimulants and caffeine beverages. These substances are poisonous and extremely dangerous to human lives. They have caused many deaths to Kenyan youths, escalated high crime rate, accelerated deadly road accidents, sustained great preference 01- HIV/AIDS, and mined our educational systems due to students' unrest, students' violent demonstration. Many parents have in many parts of our country lost their sons and daughters who were roasted to death as their dormitories were torched with fires. Other young Kenyans consumed the illicit brew and died instantly in hundreds, others lost their sight suddenly while others lost their legs or hands or other parts of their body in the process. We have experienced great misery from many broken families causing p-eat sorrow to poor widows 'and confused rejected orphans throughout the Republic of Kenya. he architects and the designers of this heinous crime of drug and substance abuse have targeted the very heart of own beautiful country-Kenya. They have targeted the pride and the future hope of our society-the youth s aged between 10 years and 30 years frorn upper middle class homes and pursuing professional and highly skillful education in our .Universities, Colleges, Polytechnics and best national institutions of learning. They have been deliberately, tactfully, unknowingly and unwillingly been recruited to the "killer" the drug culture through personal factors, uncontrolled media influences and social exposure. The researcher has looked into major causes; effects and consequences of drug and substances abuse in much greater detail to recommend fool proof ways of preventing premature deaths of the country youths. The study has focused on premature destruction of homes, sudden confrontation and escalating violence related crimes, domestically, increased death toll on our roads, drastically reduce armed robberies, and stamp out traumatizing crime of rape and child molestation. The study has also suggested and recommended ways and means of restoration of moral values and character of high integrity in our youth, before it is too late to save them from the killer drugs. Previous researchers have not addressed the problem adequately, comprehensively including control, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of addicted persons. The researcher has localized the study to Nairobi city and obtained information from NACADA (National Agency for Campaign Against Drug Abuse) SAPTA (Support for Alcoholic Prevention and Treatment in Africa) Libraries in University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Daystar University, Catholic University, NEGST (Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology). More research was extended to hospitals in Nairobi: Colleges and schools in the neighbouring provinces.