By Dorothy Musyoka
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has issued a strong appeal to social and digital media influencers, urging them to stop promoting alcohol and drug use through their online platforms.
The agency expressed concern over the rising trend of influencers sharing content that normalizes or glorifies substance use, especially among young audiences.
In a press release dated September 23, 2024, NACADA highlighted the significant threat posed by such content to ongoing efforts to combat alcohol and drug abuse.
“The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has noted with concern the increasing trend where social and digital media influencers, as well as content creators, are posting content that promotes the use of substances. Such content, often directed at young audiences poses a significant threat to the fight against, alcohol and drug abuse, while undermining the efforts to protect vulnerable groups, especially children, from these harmful influences,” NACADA stated.
The authority emphasized that promoting substance use not only undermines these efforts but also violates Kenyan law.
“NACADA implore upon influencers and content creators against using their platform,s to normalize or glorify drug use.The Authority reminds the public that, promoting drugs and substance use through social media is not only irresponsile but is also a violation of the law.Under the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2010 and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act, 1994, promoting, advertising or encouraging drug use is illegal and punishable by law,”noted NACADA.
“Social media platforms and digital content creators have a responsibility to uphold ethical standards and promote healthy behaviours among their audiences,” NACADA added.
NACADA also called on parents and guardians to be vigilant about the content their children are exposed to online.
The agency recommended the use of parental control settings and encouraged open conversations about the dangers of drug use.
NACADA remains committed to working with all stakeholders, including social media platforms, to curb the promotion of substance use and safeguard the well-being of the nation’s youth.