The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has placed teachers at the center of its new strategy to combat rising drug and alcohol abuse among Kenya’s youth.

Unveiled on Friday, August 22, 2025, and highlighted in a fresh update on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, the school-focused campaign emphasises prevention over punishment, with a call to transform learning institutions into safe spaces where students are shielded from harmful influences.

The initiative aligns with the National Policy for the Prevention, Management, and Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse.

Teachers as role models

In a message shared on X, Nacada underscored the influence educators hold. “Teachers, let’s talk about your superpower. It’s not just about lesson plans—it’s about the example you set every single day. When you model healthy choices, resilience, and self-care, you build a shield around your students against negative influences. You are their protectors,” the agency stated.

The authority believes that teachers, by setting the right example, can instil discipline and resilience in young learners, helping them resist destructive behaviours.

Rising trends, urgent warnings

The urgency of the campaign stems from findings in the latest National Survey on Drug and Substance Use in Universities, released on August 18, 2025. The report showed that 30.4 per cent of students had consumed alcohol, with 12.2 per cent identified as current drinkers and 10.4 per cent admitting to binge drinking. Male students were found to be most at risk.

“These figures depict a concerning trend of alcohol abuse jeopardising the future of our youth,” Nacada warned, stressing the need for urgent interventions. The authority added that true learning thrives in safe environments and reiterated that prevention programs must be central to schools.

Part of a wider crackdown

The school-based initiative complements a government-led crackdown on illicit brews, spearheaded by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

On August 20, 2025, Murkomen launched a 100-day Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) in Kiambu County targeting producers and distributors of illegal alcohol. Nacada pledged support for the campaign, working with county governments, security agencies, and community leaders to address the crisis.

In addition, the authority is intensifying parental education, reminding families that prevention begins at home. It has also announced that, from October 1, 2025, all import and export licenses for alcoholic beverages will be processed digitally through the Kenya Trade Network Agency’s platform, in a move to streamline alcohol trade regulation.

NACADA maintains that teachers, parents, and communities remain the backbone of the fight to secure a drug-free generation.