Using children as drug mules a grave threat to future generations

Children as young as in lower primary school are reportedly already hooked on narcotics or are being used as mules.

In urban centres, outlets masquerading as snack kiosks sell drugs to the students. The likes of kuber and muguka are common among the students and are cheap and readily available

Drug abuse has led to poor academic performance, increased indiscipline and a high dropout rate.

It is time Nacada stamped out this menace. Sale of snacks near schools should be banned. The government should also shut down bars, clubs and restaurants located near schools.

Legal action should be taken against those found selling drugs, especially to minors. Local residents should help the authorities to arrest the peddlers since they know them.

Nacada should also intensify awareness campaigns on drug and substance abuse in schools. The students should be told about the adverse effects of narcotics and how to avoid them.

Parents should be involved since it’s their children who are at the risk of ruining their lives. They should not give their children excess pocket money, which they use it to buy drugs.

Let us all stand strong and end drug abuse among students.

Reports that children as young as nine are peddlers and consumers of drugs are worrying.

Again, it was believed in the past that only men abused drugs until women were lured into the vice, encouraged by the saying, 'what a man can do, a woman can do better'.

Women are expected to mould and instil good morals in youth, so when they engage in drug abuse they set a bad example for their children.

Many children who have become peddlers and abusers of drugs were influenced by the environment where they were raised.

Adults should counsel the children and lead by example. Parents should be aware of their children’s whereabouts.

They should know the friends they keep as much as possible.

Teachers also have a role to play by providing life skills lessons regularly and also inviting motivational speakers, especially reformed drug addicts, so that students can see for themselves the dangers of abusing drugs.

The government should educate the masses on the dangers of drug abuse and severely punish those found trafficking in drugs.

An initiative dubbed ‘Kaa Sober’, spearheaded by Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu since last year, has been stopped due to opposition from pessimistic leaders and experts.

It should not have been discarded as its merits are so visible. It has helped the beneficiaries to kick the habit of drug abuse and reduced crime.