Kenya is a nation of drug abusers, survey reveals

Lucianne Limo

Kenya is among the countries ranked top in Africa for growing Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as bhang.

The increased mental health problems among the youth are attributed to the drug, according to the 2010 World Drug Report.

Reychad Abdool, an officer at United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, says there is also a general increase in the use of injectable drugs such as cocaine and heroin in East Africa.

A recent report by National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (Nacada) outlines the leading districts where drugs are abused.

Overall, it shows that Nairobi and Western provinces lead in alcohol abuse. On the other hand, North Eastern and Eastern provinces are the leading abusers of miraa (khat). Coast Province and Western lead in the abuse of bhang.

Coast again leads in the abuse of cocaine and heroin. Overall, Nairobi province leads in drug abuse.

Another study by National Agency for the Campaign Against Drugs shows that bhang smoking is on the verge of overtaking tobacco abuse and that people are now abusing drugs at a younger age. Wilfred Njogu, an addiction counsellor at Nacada, says drug abuse has now shifted from secondary to primary schools.

The data analysed from an eight-month study conducted from a toll free line indicates that some pupils from Class Seven and Eight are already hooked to drugs.

Njogu notes that some of the callers who have spoken to the counsellors are aged between 18 and 25 and admit to having abused drugs for periods ranging between ten to 15 years.

He points out that there are some youth who do not see the vice as affecting their lives.

Bhang goes by many names. Some call it marijuana, others kaya, iley, calley, or ganja.

In some local languages, it is known as enyasore, njaga, enjaka or sikhwabi. But botanists call it Cannabis sativa.

It is an offence to possess, cultivate and sell the herb. If convicted, one can be fined up to Sh10 million, or imprisoned for not less than 10 years. The offence can even attract a lifetime sentence.

Last year, 3,223 people were arrested and prosecuted in court for dealing in narcotic. This year 1, 348 people have so far been taken to court. Last year, 8.5kg of heroin, 9.5kg of cocaine, 7,279 kilos of cannabis and derivatives and 500 grammes of hashish were seized in police operations. This year 35.2kg of heroin, 22.9kg of cocaine and 14,706kg of cannabis and derivatives have been seized at various points.

The herb is a strong painkiller that relieves the symptoms of many diseases, and can even prevent eye diseases such as glaucoma, as it reduces pressure on the eyeball.

The Nacada survey on Kenya reported that nearly 90 per cent of cocaine and heroin users, 44 per cent of bhang users, and almost 40 per cent of tobacco and alcohol users said that they had diverted resources meant for domestic use to buy drugs during the year before the survey.