NAIROBI, Kenya- The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) is raising red flags over the increasing number of social media influencers and content creators glamorizing drug use on digital platforms.
In a strong statement, NACADA CEO Dr. Anthony Omerikwa warned that this worrying trend threatens to undermine national efforts to combat substance abuse, particularly among vulnerable groups like children and teenagers.
As social media continues to play a dominant role in shaping public opinion, NACADA is concerned that influencers are using their platforms to normalize dangerous behaviors.
Dr. Omerikwa explained that the promotion of alcohol and drug use in online content is not only irresponsible but also illegal.
“Promoting drug use is a violation of the law,” he said, referencing Kenya’s Alcoholic Drinks Control Act of 2010 and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act of 1994, both of which outlaw the promotion of drug use in any form.
The CEO stressed that influencers must recognize their power to shape behaviors and opinions, especially among younger audiences.
Many of these content creators are inadvertently encouraging drug use, contributing to a culture that glamorizes addiction.
The rise of this alarming trend has also highlighted the crucial role that parents and guardians play in protecting their children from harmful online content.
Dr. Omerikwa urged parents to be more vigilant, advising them to enable parental controls, closely monitor their children’s social media usage, and actively educate them on the dangers of drug and substance abuse.
“Many platforms lack proper safeguards,” he noted, suggesting that parents have a significant role in preventing children from being exposed to inappropriate content.
He also encouraged parents to report harmful content to authorities, ensuring swift action is taken to remove or block it.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Omerikwa called on social media platforms and content creators to uphold ethical standards and prioritize the promotion of healthy behaviors.
NACADA plans to work closely with law enforcement to ensure violators of these laws face legal repercussions.
As the lines between entertainment and promotion blur, it’s clear that digital platforms and influencers have a responsibility to ensure their content supports, rather than undermines, public health efforts.
This is not just about protecting the vulnerable; it’s about upholding legal and ethical standards in the digital age.
