NACADA report: One in every six Kenyans aged 15–65 uses drugs

A new report by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has revealed an escalating drug use in the country, with 4.7 million Kenyans aged between 15 and 65 currently using at least one drug or substance.

The findings, published in collaboration with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and the Tobacco Control Board, show a sharp rise in early drug initiation, addiction levels, and use of multiple substances, pointing to a deepening public health and social emergency.

According to the 2022 survey, alcohol remains the most widely abused substance, with 3.2 million Kenyans consuming it regularly.

Tobacco follows closely with 2.3 million users, while over 518,000 people use cannabis. Prescription drug misuse stands at over 60,000, and an estimated 1.77 million Kenyans engage in polydrug use, which pertains to the consumption of more than one substance.

"Key findings from the survey include; 1 in every 6 Kenyans (4.7 million) aged 15–65 currently uses at least one drug or substance, 1 in every 8 Kenyans (3.2 million) consumes alcohol, 1 in every 12 Kenyans (2.3 million) uses tobacco, 1 in every 53 Kenyans (518,807) uses cannabis; 1 in every 500 Kenyans (60,407) misuses prescription drugs; and 1 in every 15 Kenyans (1.77 million) engages in polydrug use (multiple substances)," stated the report.

The report also divulged equally troubling findings that drug use in Kenya is starting at increasingly younger ages, with children as young as 6 years reported to have initiated tobacco use, 7 years for alcohol, 8 years for cannabis and prescription drugs, and 9 years for miraa.

However, harder substances like heroin and cocaine are being used by individuals aged from 18 and 20, respectively.

NACADA says cannabis use has surged by 90% over the past five years, underscoring a concerning trend in recreational drug uptake.

“The rising rates of early substance initiation, increasing cannabis use, and high addiction levels underscore the urgent need for expanded prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services in Kenya,” the report reads.

The data further shows that 1.36 million Kenyans are addicted to alcohol, 887,627 to tobacco, and 234,855 to cannabis.

Alarmingly, a high proportion of users are dependent, with 42.4% of alcohol users, 38.8% of tobacco users, and 47.4% of cannabis users classified as addicted.

In its recommendations, NACADA calls for immediate policy responses, including strengthened rehabilitation programs, enhanced awareness campaigns, and stricter enforcement of regulations aimed at curbing access and exposure, especially among the youth.