The Ministry of Health (MoH) has sounded the alarm over rising cases of drug and substance abuse among school children, warning that the crisis could get out of control if not addressed urgently.
Recent surveys by the Ministry reveal that some learners are experimenting with harmful substances while in school and spreading the habits to their communities.
Officials cautioned that without immediate intervention, the well-being of children and the safety of neighbourhoods across the country could be severely compromised.
Public Health and Standardization Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the government is adopting a whole-of-government approach to tackle the menace, working closely with the Ministry of Education to roll out joint interventions beginning next week, when the schools shall reopen for the first term.
Teachers have been directed to pay close attention to what students carry to school, with authorities noting that some manufacturers are deliberately targeting children with sweetened products that closely resemble legal substances and drug-laced cookies, making detection difficult.
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The Ministry has called for impromptu inspections of classrooms and dormitories, where learners spend most of their time, to curb the spread of drugs. School heads, teachers, and disciplinary officers have been instructed to intensify checks on students’ bags and personal belongings. Swift disciplinary measures are expected to follow whenever violations are detected.
Officials emphasized that failure to act now could condemn an entire generation of learners to a vicious cycle of addiction, undermining both education and community stability. “The time to intervene is now,” the Ministry stressed, underscoring the urgency of coordinated action.
Alongside the crackdown on drugs, the Ministry of Health has also announced a nationwide enforcement of laws requiring public institutions to establish creche facilities for female employees. Muthoni noted that many institutions have ignored the legislation, leaving teachers, public officers, and students who are new parents without childcare support.
Muthoni said the absence of creche services has caused distractions in workplaces and learning institutions, lowering productivity and affecting overall well-being.
Enforcement of the law will begin in January to ensure compliance, with authorities insisting that childcare centres are essential for supporting working parents and maintaining efficiency in schools and other public institutions.
By Masaki Enock
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