Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has issued a caution to social media influencers and content creators against endorsing drug and substance use online.
Anthony Omerikwa, NACADA’s Chief Executive Officer, highlighted that the rising trend of promoting substance use, particularly aimed at younger audiences, presents a serious risk to ongoing efforts in combating alcohol and drug abuse.
Omerikwa emphasized that such content jeopardizes initiatives to safeguard vulnerable groups, especially children, from harmful influences.
“Parents and guardians to monitor the content their children are being exposed to in social media platforms as it often lacks adequate safeguards,” he said.
NACADA Chief Executive Officer Anthony Omerikwa highlighted that under Kenya’s Alcoholic Drinks Control Act of 2010 and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act of 1994, promoting, advertising, or encouraging drug use is illegal and punishable by law.
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Omerikwa stressed that these actions undermine efforts to protect vulnerable groups, particularly children, from harmful influences.
NACADA also called on parents and guardians to actively monitor the content their children are exposed to online. The Authority urged parents to utilize parental control settings and educate their children on the dangers of drug use.
