A new study by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has revealed that 45.6 per cent of university students in Kenya have used at least one drug or substance of abuse in their lifetime, raising concerns about the growing prevalence of drug use among young adults.

The "Status of Drugs and Substance Use among University Students in Kenya, 2024" study highlights alcohol as the most commonly used substance, with 40.5 per cent of students reporting lifetime use.

Cannabis remains the most prevalent narcotic drug, with 61.7 per cent of users preferring smoked cannabis and 47.6 per cent consuming cannabis edibles.

Harder drugs such as cocaine (15.1 per cent) and heroin (14.3 per cent) were also found to be in circulation among university students.

The research identified friends (66.4 per cent) as the primary source of drugs, followed by canteens, bars, or premises within neighbourhoods (59.3 per cent), fellow students (56.0 per cent), and online purchases through websites or social media (39.4 per cent).

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Shockingly, support and non-teaching staff (11.4 per cent) and lecturers or teaching staff (7.0 per cent) were also listed as sources of illicit substances, raising serious concerns about institutional oversight.

The study also noted the increasing popularity of cannabis-infused edibles such as "weed cookies," "weed mabuyu," "weed lollipops," and "weed juice."

Other readily available psychoactive substances included prescription drugs (13.9 per cent), inhalants (13.1 per cent), and codeine-based cough syrups (11.5 per cent), with the emergence of morphine as a substance of abuse flagged as particularly alarming.

In response, NACADA has recommended comprehensive prevention and intervention strategies within universities, including sustained drug and substance use prevention programmes, mentorship initiatives for vulnerable students, and strengthened guidance and counselling departments to support those struggling with addiction, mental health issues, and trauma.

The study also suggested expanding chaplaincy services, promoting sports activities, and considering mandatory accommodation within institutions or accredited private facilities to curb drug use.

To tackle drug accessibility, NACADA has urged stronger collaboration with enforcement agencies to ensure drug-free university environments and recommended extending the 300-metre rule under the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2010, to institutions of higher learning.

The agency also called on parents and guardians to enhance monitoring and engage in positive role modelling throughout their children’s university journey.

Recognising the influence of digital platforms, NACADA emphasised the need for universities to “leverage social media and other online platforms to reach students with tailored prevention programmes and factual messaging to counter misinformation about drugs and substance use.”

Additionally, the agency advocated for accessible and affordable treatment and rehabilitation services designed for university students and called for gender-specific intervention programmes, stronger orientation programmes for new students, and long-term support systems such as mentorship, counselling, and vibrant recovery communities.