NACADA opens National Substance Use Prevention Week Summit, urges communities to lead change

Bishop Stephen Mairori, NACADA Board Chairperson/FILE

The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) officially opened the 2026 National Substance Use Prevention Week Summit at the Kenya School of Government on Thursday, emphasising the crucial role of communities in safeguarding Kenya’s youth.

Speaking at the event, Bishop Stephen Mairori, NACADA Board Chairperson, said the week’s theme, Empowered Communities, Brighter Futures, reflects a national commitment to protect the country’s future.

“We gather this week, at the heart of our nation, for a single, vital purpose: to protect our future,” Mairori said.

“Before we discuss the challenge, let us first recognise a powerful, untold story of strength. Data from NACADA reveals a truth we must lead with: the vast majority of Kenyans have chosen a life free from substance abuse; 42.5% are lifetime abstainers. That is not a statistic; it is a testament to resilience.”

Mairori urged Kenyans to celebrate and reinforce the choices that keep communities strong, while acknowledging the challenges that persist.

He highlighted that 17.5% of adults and 26.6% of university students in Kenya have used substances, describing this as a critical battlefield affecting the nation’s youth.

“Kenya is a young nation, and our most precious demographic is at risk. The availability of drugs, especially near our learning institutions, is a crisis we must confront with unity and urgency,” he said.

The NACADA chairperson outlined the Authority’s twofold approach to addressing substance abuse: amplifying successful prevention methods and forging strong partnerships.

“Prevention is not an abstract concept; it lives in the home, the house of worship, the classroom, and the workplace. It is a parent’s guidance, a teacher’s mentorship, and a faith leader’s counsel,” he said.

NACADA Board Chair Bishop Stephen Mairori inspecting a guard of honour mounted by the Kenya Scouts Association during the official launch of the National Substance Use Prevention Week 2026 in Nairobi/HANDOUT

Mairori noted that religious leaders across all denominations and counties have been actively engaged to reinforce values and support the youth.

He also stressed the importance of bridging the gap between policy and action. “Our strategy balances supply reduction with demand reduction, because a safer future requires both dismantling access and strengthening resolve,” he added.

Acknowledging those in recovery, he said, “You are our living proof that change is possible. Your journey is a beacon. We urge you to extend your hand; your story can ignite hope for someone still in the struggle.”

He concluded by urging coordinated community action, stressing that prevention is a strategic investment in Kenya’s future.

“By empowering communities today, we secure brighter, healthier futures for generations to come. The work is here. The time is now. Let’s move forward, together,” Mairori said, before officially opening the Summit.

The week-long Summit brings together stakeholders from government, religious institutions, schools, and communities to share prevention and recovery stories, and to strengthen initiatives aimed at curbing substance abuse across the country.