ANTI-DRUG AGENCY'S PLEA TO TEACHERS AND PARENTS

Nairobi -- The rising tide of drug abuse in schools can only be stopped by
the joint efforts of teachers and parents.

Parents should communicate regularly with schools regarding their
children's performance, the acting coordinator of the National Agency for
the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (Nacada), Mrs Roseline Onyuka, told
principals attending a heads' conference in Nairobi yesterday.

"The family is the most important force for any successful initiative in
preventing drug abuse. Parents should discuss with their children rather
than leave them to gather information from peers and the media," she said.

On their part, schools should determine the extent and nature of abuse, and
establish ways to combat the vice.

She cited causes of drug abuse as peer pressure, easy access to drugs,
unemployment, laxity in enforcing the law, poverty and poor parenting.

Others are stress, low self-esteem, anxiety and depression.

Mrs Onyuka, who is also a senior deputy director education, warned that
drug abuse was among the three major obstacles to quality education. Others
are poverty and Aids.

"As with most social and health problems, rarely can drug and substance
abuse be combated by a single group. It requires concerted efforts," she said.

Drug abuse, she added, was behind declining academic performance among
students and rising cases of indiscipline in schools.

Those who abuse drugs also engage in risky sexual behaviour, exposing
themselves to diseases like Aids and other sexually transmitted ailments

A recent national survey showed that a large number of young people,
including those in schools, abused drugs.

Alcohol was the most abused followed by tobacco and bhang. Others were
miraa (khat) and inhalants.

Mrs Onyuka says: "Common offences in schools include smoking, drinking and
selling and buying drugs. Hardly a week passes without a report in the
media of a school closed after a riot. Students destroy school property and
cause management problems due to drug abuse."