Users have turned to a dangerous combination of heroin and prescription drugs, particularly diazepam and amitriptyline, to achieve longer-lasting highs.
The report urges the regulation and control of veterinary drugs, including xylazine, to prevent their diversion into the illegal market. It also emphasises the need for public education, harm reduction facilities, and rehabilitation centres to combat the crisis effectively.
In light of the dire situation, Fredrick Ngugi, the director of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) calls upon county governments to take proactive measures, including establishing rehabilitation centres and offering counseling services to victims of drug and alcohol abuse.
Furthermore, regional collaboration and increased surveillance are needed to address the escalating narcotic and synthetic drug problem that threatens the well-being of the East African states.
"We face inadequate funding although there is goodwill from the national government. We want the county governments to also come on board and address the problem of alcohol and drug abuse," said Dr Ngugi, who accompanied Ugandan MPs on a benching marking tour at the Miritini drug addicts rehabilitation facility.
Hundreds of drug users line up for methadone from the Miritini rehabilitation centre and Frere Town in Mombasa, Kombani in Kwale, and the Omar project in Kilifi.
Dr Charles Ayume, chairman of Uganda's Parliamentary Committee on Health, said there was a need for East African states to strengthen surveillance on narcotic and synthetic drugs to secure the region.
"With the emerging trend, there is a need for more surveillance in our seaports, airports, and other entry points to address the problem of drug abuse. There is a need to establish who is importing drugs in any form and for what purpose," said the medical doctor.
The Ugandan parliament recently passed a Bill on control of narcotic drugs and plans to set up its own version of Nacada.