The government has moved to intensify the fight against substance abuse among young people with the adoption of a new national policy aimed at prevention, control, and rehabilitation.

During a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, the Cabinet approved the National Policy on the Prevention of Alcohol, Drugs and Substance Use (2025), describing it as a comprehensive and multi-sectoral framework designed to curb the growing crisis of alcohol and drug abuse in the country.

The policy strengthens the role of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) by reinforcing legal, educational, and institutional efforts to prevent substance use and support recovery.

It introduces tighter regulations on the sale and advertising of alcohol, limits access, and enhances protection for individuals under the age of 21 as well as those who abstain from alcohol and drug use.

“The policy promotes awareness, evidence-based prevention, professional training, and community action,” the Cabinet noted.

“It aims to create a society free from the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol, with a strong focus on youth and vulnerable populations.”

The policy also outlines the promotion of public awareness campaigns, the training of professionals in prevention and treatment, and the use of evidence-based strategies across sectors.

The move comes at a time when Kenya is grappling with rising substance use, especially among adolescents and university students.

According to data from Nacada, more than half of drug users in Kenya are between the ages of 10 and 19, with the most commonly used substances being nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis.

In the 2024 Status of Drug and Substance Use in Kenyan Universities report, Nacada revealed that 45.6 per cent of university students have used at least one drug or substance in their lifetime.

The report further shows that 26.6 per cent of students in both public and private universities are actively using substances such as alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, khat, and emerging drugs like methamphetamine and codeine syrup.

The Cabinet said the new policy is expected to boost Nacada’s capacity to carry out its wide-ranging mandate, which includes public education, research, enforcement of drug control laws, and coordination of rehabilitation efforts across institutions and government bodies.