The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) has issued an alert on a new drug that turns users into ‘zombies’ after a video clip surfaced online.
In a public safety alert, Nacada said it was launching investigations after a disturbing video of youth sleeping while went viral.
In the undated clip, the alleged substance users are seen exhibiting symptoms of drowsiness, sedation and confusion, all the while still on their feet with their eyes closed and their mouths open, but barely able to remain upstanding.
“There are videos circulating online of persons allegedly suffering the effects of using a suspected substance after purportedly ingesting it in some parts of the country,” Nacada acting CEO John Muteti said in a statement.
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Mr Muteti called on members of the public who might have full information on the matter to reach out either through the official numbers or email addresses.
“Accordingly, and in ensuring that we get to establish the facts around the matter urgently, Nacada has embarked on coordination of all responsible multi-agency bodies to get to the bottom of this issue,” he said.
At the same time, Muteti said the authority is also engaging leaders of county governments where the substance is alleged to be available, in order to reach a suitable solution and uproot the menace.
In a report released by Nacada in May 2023, one in every 11 youth aged 15 to 24 years translating to 632,846 youth were currently using at least one drug or substance of abuse.
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One in every 20 – translating to 367,606 youths – are currently using alcohol, one in 31 translating to 230,130 are using tobacco while one in every 28 or 259,954 youth is currently using khat.
The report further shows one in every 26 youth within the same age bracket were using multiple drugs which represents 267,454 youth.
One in every 1,000 were currently using prescription drugs which amounts to 8,328 youth while 193,430 were found to be using cannabis.
“Results showed that the prevalence of cannabis use almost doubled over the last five years,” the report says.
“The growing demand for cannabis especially among the youth could be attributed to the low perception of harm due to myths, misinformation and misconception,” the report said.
