NACADA Wins 5 Awards for Exemplary Work in Public Education, Youth Empowerment
- NACADA won five prestigious awards at the Mt. Kenya ASK Branch Show in Nanyuki, affirming its leadership in public education and youth empowerment
- The Laikipia County Coordination Office’s dynamic exhibition showcased the authority’s mandate to prevent and reduce alcohol and drug abuse, earning top prizes
- NACADA’s recognition spanned multiple categories, including youth empowerment and policy advocacy
TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
At the Mt. Kenya ASK Branch show in Nanyuki, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA)’s fight took centre stage, winning five top awards.
Source: UGC
The event brought together government agencies and stakeholders to showcase initiatives that promote innovation and societal transformation.
NACADA’s Laikipia County Coordination Office impressed judges and visitors alike with an engaging and informative exhibition that vividly communicated the Authority’s core mission of preventing and reducing alcohol and drug abuse throughout the country.
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What awards did NACADA win?
Their efforts earned them first place in two highly competitive categories: best regulatory authority and corporation stand, and best government social functions stand.
Additionally, NACADA received second place for the stand that best represented the show’s current theme of education and research, as well as for the best national government ministry stand.
The Authority also won third place in the category for best stand in youth activities, empowerment, and capacity building, highlighting its ongoing commitment to supporting young people, who remain most at risk of substance abuse.
The awards were presented by the event’s honoured guests, including Governor Mutahi Kahiga of Nyeri County, Governor Joshua Irungu of Laikipia County, and Governor Kiarie Badilisha of Nyandarua County.
They commended the participating agencies for their impactful community outreach and their alignment with the event’s emphasis on innovation and transformation.
Following the ceremony, NACADA CEO Anthony Omerikwa praised the Laikipia County team for their creativity and dedication in effectively showcasing the Authority’s prevention programmes.
“These awards reinforce our dedication to protecting the health of Kenyans by promoting education, research, and partnership. Participating in events like the ASK Show is crucial for spreading prevention messages at the grassroots level and connecting directly with the public, particularly young people,” Omerikwa stated.
NACADA’s exhibit featured its flagship initiatives, including drug use prevention campaigns, community empowerment efforts, school-based interventions, workplace wellness programmes, and collaborative stakeholder engagements.
Visitors were drawn to demonstrations illustrating the dangers of drug abuse, alongside counselling resources and policy advocacy materials, which attracted hundreds daily throughout the event.
The recognition for youth empowerment is particularly significant as NACADA intensifies its campaigns targeting young people, who are at the greatest risk of substance abuse.
Source: UGC
What is fueling drug abuse among university youths?
In a previous story by TUKO.co.ke, a NACADA report revealed alarming trends in drug supply within Kenyan universities.
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While friends were identified as the primary source of drugs, accounting for 66.4% of cases, the report also implicated lecturers, non-teaching staff, and even parents in the distribution of substances to students.
The study, which surveyed over 15,000 students across 17 public and private universities, found that drug use had led to academic failures, absenteeism, and disciplinary problems.
Apart from friends, drugs were also accessed through canteens, bars, and even online platforms. Shockingly, 7% of students admitted to getting drugs from lecturers, while 11.4% sourced them from non-teaching staff.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
