Drug abuse is one of the top problems confronting the nation today especially among the youth. Incidences of
drug and alcohol abuse and related antisocial behaviour have tremendously increased in recent years. This has
become a matter of concern to the government, parents, teachers, Non-governmental organisations and all other
relevant agencies. It is more prevalent than parents suspect. Parents do not recognise the extent of drug use and as a result, some young people think they can use drugs with impunity. Most parents believe that it is the responsibility of teachers to check drug abuse among school going children and still most of them delude themselves that their children are safe and secure. Drug abuse is not confined to young people in certain geographical areas or from particular social economic backgrounds. It affects the nation as a whole-both urban and rural areas. The problem cuts across class. It is not only in slums or low income areas where people are poor and unhappy but also with families living under better conditions (rich and calmer) where children are better controlled.
According to the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) in Kenya which was initiated in early 2001, the past twenty years has seen drugs and drug abuse soar to an extent that it now cuts across all sectors of
life. The level of drug abuse is startling and even more frightening because of the fact that many young people are
getting wired on drugs each passing day.Alcohol, bhang and tobacco are increasingly being abused by school going
children. Research and seizure statistics show it has a steady upward trend. Those between 16 to 30 years of age,
a critical period in one‟s development are most affected.A few years ago the most commonly abused drugs among students were tobacco, alcohol, bhang and “miraa” but today opium, cocaine and heroin have added to the list.
Use of sleeping pills, tranquiller, cough mixture, inhalants such as glue and petrol is now rampant especially among the street youngsters.In Nairobi alone 50% of students have in the past taken drugs.