CEO of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) Victor Okioma has said pharmacies have become the avenues of drug distribution among the Kenyan youth and students.
Okioma referred to a survey conducted by NACADA which revealed that there is a high consumption rate of prescription drugs, a problem that is spreading into learning institutions.
While speaking on Wednesday, February 1 during an interview with Citizen TV, Okioma stated that the prescription drugs have become a much bigger threat to drug consumption in comparison to habitual drugs such as marijuana and alcohol.
“We have looked at the drug situation in primary schools and the question is where do they get these drugs? Those drugs are not allowed to be issued without a prescription from a doctor and what we are asking is how do they access this?” The NACADA CEO posed.
“What is obvious is that we have a weakness in the control of our pharmacies because in primary if you check the figures, prescription drugs are more of a problem than these other drugs.” Okioma added.
Moreover, Okioma admitted that curbing the drug problem is not an easy task as there are many loopholes through which these drugs seep into learning institutions.
He however affirmed that they would remain vigilant in mitigating the crisis.
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“We have had a meeting with the pharmacists’ association and the NCPB who regulate the pharmacists and we agree that there is a problem that needs to be fixed,” he said.
Furthermore, the NACADA CEO noted that some of the loopholes, are shops near schools that quietly distribute the drugs to students, adding that the risk is even bigger to primary school children since they have fewer restrictions as compared to high school students.
“The accessibility is actually more in primary than in secondary because of restrictions but we have had cases where some students are agents in trafficking,” he noted.
Okioma also said that the alcohol abuse regulator has had evidence that kiosks close to schools are very vibrant sources of drugs.
“So, you go like you are going to buy a loaf of bread then you purchase the drugs.” Stated Okioma.
