- Drugs are chemical substances that change the person’s mood or feelings.
- Some drugs are found in coffee and tea.
- Some drugs are good because they stop us from feeling pain.
- Such drugs are called medicines.
- However, when they are not taken according to the doctor’s instructions, then they can also be harmful to us.
- Drug abuse is when drugs are used for the wrong reason. This can involve using the right drug wrongly or using the wrong drugs.
- Many drugs can help to make us more healthy, but they should always be taken witht the advice of a doctor.
- Here is a list of the commonly abused groups of drugs.
Narcotic drugs: These drugs make the user to become sleepy and relieve pain for a short period of time. They make people feel numb and to forget their problems and worries for a short time. Examples include opium, heroin, mandrax and morphine. These drugs are sold as cigarettes, powder or dried leaves. Some are made in form of sweets. Therefore, we should be careful about where we buy sweets.
Stimulants: These are drugs that stimulate or speed up the function of the nervous system. These include bhang, miraa or khat, cocaine or pephill.
Tobacco: This is smoked as cigarettes and cigars, or chewed.
Valium: Is manufactured as good medicine to be taken by people who cannot fall asleep due to different medical conditions. However, it is commonly abused and taken without the doctor’s prescription.
Alcohol: This is the most commonly abused drug in Kenya. People who abuse alcohol drink it in large amounts. It is harmful to the body and mind. In Kenya, it is illegal for underage people to drink alcohol.
Substance drugs or inhalants: These are taken through inhaling. Common examples include glue and petrol.
Caffeine and nicotine: These are found in coffee and tea. If large amounts of the beverages are consumed, they are likely to affect us. Too much coffee, especially in the afternoon may stop us from sleeping at night.
Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug in Kenya.
Drugs may cause diseases like cancer, liver failure, depression or mental illnesses.
1. The government has set up the National Agency for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) to educate people about the dangers of drug abuse, especially among the youth.
2. The government has put in place laws to regulate the use of commonly abused drugs, so that they can only e purchased with a prescription from the doctor.
3. The government ensures that underage people are not allowed to buy alcohol or cigarettes. People found selling the drugs to these minors are prosecuted.
4. Companies manufacturing alcohol and cigarettes are required by the law to warn the users on the dangers of taking the drugs. The warnings are printed on the containers of the drugs
5. Information about drug use and abuse is also transmitted through the local media like newspapers, radio and TV.
6. Information on drug use and abuse is included in the school curriculum to ensure that all children are aware of the dangers of using drugs.
7. Parents are encouraged to discuss the dangers of drug use and abuse with their children at home.
8. Schools organise guidance and counselling sessions with children to educate them on the dangers of drug and substance abuse.
9. Schools are encouraged to form clubs through which children can freely talk about drug-related issues affecting them
