VARSITY HEAD APPEALS FOR HELP OVER DRUGS

The Kenyatta University administration has appealed to the institution's
community to help reduce drug abuse among students.

Vice-Chancellor George Eshiwani said a third of the students were involved
in the vice.

Prof Eshiwani said abuse of hard drugs by the students was one of the
institution's biggest problems. He said several cases had been identified
and that addicts were being rehabilitated.

"This is a major problem which we have to tackle alongside others like
HIV/Aids," he said. He was addressing a Sunday service at the university's
Christ the Teacher Catholic chapel.

The Vice-Chancellor said some victims were being rehabilitated within the
institution, while others were being treated elsewhere, and risked ending
their education prematurely.

"Many of the drug abusers cannot be identified because they carry on with
their lives fairly well, but they are really sick," he said. He had
identified the crisis in his capacity as a member of the counselling and
rehabilitation programme, he added.

"We're appealing to you to report these cases," Prof Eshiwani told the
congregation of students, lecturers and other staff.

"Bring these students to us and let's help them," he said and attributed
the January 27 student unrest to drugs.

The students rioted demanding the re-establishment of their union, Kenyatta
University Students Association, which was disbanded two years ago and the
readmission of all their colleagues who have been expelled or suspended
from the institution..

The union has since been revived and the students are set to hold their
elections on Wednesday this week.