Addressing the Burden of Alcohol and Drug Abuse

The burden of substance abuse is an enormous public health issue. Globally, 1 in every 17 people 15-64 years uses at least one drug. Cannabis as the most used drug. In Kenya, 1 in every 6 people between 15 and 65 years are currently using at least one drug. The aim of this study was to determining the burden of alcohol and drug abuse in Kenya, and suggest ways of reducing the burden. A scoping review of literature was conducted through the Google Scholar according to the criteria and methodology by Arksey and O’Malley (2005). 96 studies fully met the inclusion criteria. The study concluded that Kenya faces a heavy burden of alcohol and drug abuse that causes enormous physical, mental, biological, social, spiritual, psychological, emotional, economic, intellectual, developmental and environmental sufferings, robing individuals of social and economic opportunities, imposing an enormous burden on families and the society, and negatively affecting the country’s development efforts. Recommendations for addressing alcohol and drug abuse include: enhancing awareness regarding alcohol and drug use-related harms and its consequences; advocating for healthy, balanced lifestyles; normalizing self-love, self-care and seeking help; resisting peer pressure; building resilience; fostering strong interpersonal relationships; scaling up positive parenting and strengthening families; addressing stressful situations; developing life skills; enforcement of strong measures to regulate access to alcohol and drugs; early identification and reduction of alcohol and drug use; avoiding stigmatization and discrimination; using multi-dimensional family therapy strategies; scaling up broad-based, positive, holistic, innovative, affordable and evidence-based prevention, treatment, recovery and rehabilitation approaches/interventions; including gender-responsive, trauma-informed and anti-oppressive approaches in alcohol and drug addiction treatment as well as gender-based violence interventions;