The Kenya National Association of Probation Officers (KNAPO) reports that children as young as eight years old are using drugs due to peer pressure and curiosity. Kenyan probation officers state that youth abusing drugs to fit in, feel older and it’s what they see happening in their homes. Many probation officers fear that for countless children, addiction may be only one puff away. These drugs are readily available because of foreign influences in their towns and cities.
Youth in Peril: Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Kenya
A 2004 study, Youth in Peril: Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Kenya states that substance abuse is widespread and is found throughout all social groups. This first-ever survey on substance abuse was conducted among youth between 10 and 24 years old. This study traces the rapid spread of alcohol and drug abuse due to the breakdown of indigenous communal living and the introduction of foreign influences that have made a variety of drugs available.
Ultimately, drug use by youth implies a breakdown of family values earlier evident in the indigenous society and, as a result, many parents have lost control over their children.
The frequency, as well as the type of substance abuse, varies from province to province. When it comes to alcohol, the prevalence among students is highest in Western Province at 43.3 percent. In the Western Province, the town of Kisumu is plagued with substance abuse among youth.
Drug Abuse in Kisumu
Kisumu is Kenya’s third largest city situated on the shore of Lake Victoria and has a population of about 250,000 including the surrounding areas. In 2008, the city was in ruin in the aftermath of one week of rioting, massive lootings and severe destruction of property. Drug abuse in Kisumu is alarmingly high. Andrew Otieno and O. Avo wrote Drug Abuse in Kisumu Town in 2009 for the Child Welfare Association and in particular studied nine random schools in Kisumu. Their findings included that students who have other family members using drugs experimented with drugs. It also showed that those children from lower income families used drugs more frequently.
Other findings from the Child Welfare Association study revealed that one in every 15 Kenyan students is abusing drugs or alcohol. Some other facts included:
- 22.7% of elementary school children drink alcohol.
- 68% of university students drink alcohol.
- Psychotropic drugs are introduced to 37 percent of youth ages 10 to 14 years.
- 400,000 students in secondary schools throughout Kenya are drug addicts of which 16,000 are girls and 384,000 are boys.
The findings also revealed that a large number of children have been exposed to tobacco, miraa (khat), glue sniffing, marijuana and even heroin and cocaine. Twenty-two percent of secondary students use drugs and males in particular use miraa and inhalants.
Kenya’s Street Children
Street children become drug dependent because they are forced by older youth to buy inhalants and other drugs. If they refuse, often they are beaten up or ostracized. Many of Kenya’s street children ages six to 14 are orphaned by AIDS.
Kenya’s probation officers work with UNODC and NGOs on drug abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. Their common experience shows that troubled children need good role models who can help them make the right choices.
Additional Reading:
Khat : An African Drug that British Youth are Now Abusing
Sources:
Drug Abuse In Kisumu Town Western Kenya, 2009: Otieno AO1 and AVO Ofulla1
African Press International: Kisumu City Now a Ghost Town in the Aftermath of a Week Long of Death and Destruction. January 8, 2008
CYC Net Report: Increasing Drug Abuse in Kenya by Clay Muganda 2004
Karen Stephenson - Karen has written for several newspapers and print media in addition to many online publications. She holds a B.A. in English and an ...
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