NACADA announces winners of National Drug Prevention Essay Contest

The competition attracted 410 participants from 30 counties, with 301 girls and 109 boys submitting essays exploring various themes related to drug and alcohol abuse prevention.

It provided a platform for students to share their insights and propose solutions for tackling substance abuse in schools. The thematic areas covered included strategies for avoiding alcohol and drug abuse, the influence of social media on substance use, youth empowerment, the role of parents in prevention, creating safe school environments, supporting peers struggling with addiction, and a Kiswahili essay category.

In the English category, Ivanka Blessing Odera from Moi Girls Isinya School emerged as the overall winner, followed by Vallary Racheal from St. Mary’s Mumias Girls High School in second place and Wesley Lambaric Mmbaya from Njiiri School in third.

In the Kiswahili category, Rhoda Kanoti from St. Mary’s Girls Igoji secured the top position, with Maryanne Wangeci Wambugu from Birithia Girls Secondary School and Joy Chepchumba from Kipsigis Girls High School coming in second and third, respectively.

A special category was also introduced for students with disabilities. Odiero Dancan Ochieng from Joyland Special Secondary School in Kisumu was named the best in this category, with Okumu Sarah Mical taking second place.

NACADA CEO Dr Anthony Omerikwa praised the participants for their thought-provoking essays, calling them a testament to the power of youth in driving change.

“These young visionaries have written essays that challenge norms, inspire action, and ignite hope for a drug-free Kenya. Their creativity and dedication remind us that prevention is power, and that young people are essential to achieving a healthier, safer society,” he said.

The competition also generated valuable recommendations from students on addressing drug use in schools. These suggestions included deploying trained sniffer dogs and conducting random dormitory checks, investing in security and surveillance cameras, enforcing strict expulsion policies for students found with drugs, utilizing advanced detection technology, integrating drug prevention initiatives into extracurricular activities, and using branded merchandise for advocacy.

NACADA reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people to become ambassadors of change in the fight against drug and substance abuse.

“This competition is not just about recognizing talent but also about equipping our youth with the knowledge and skills to lead the charge for a drug-free Kenya. We encourage all students to participate in future editions and join us in this noble cause,” Dr. Omerikwa added.

The Authority expressed gratitude to all participants, teachers, and stakeholders for their support and emphasized the need for continued collaboration in addressing drug abuse among young people. The winners, along with their teachers, were recognized during the recently concluded National Substance Use Prevention Week held in Nairobi.