Kenya raises concern over rise in synthetic drugs, shifting trafficking trends

Kenya has expressed concern over the growing threat of synthetic drugs and shifting global trafficking patterns, warning that new potent substances are “causing havoc among young people” and fueling a complex public health and security challenge.

In his address at the 32nd Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (HONLEA) in Austria, Dr. Anthony Omerikwa, Chief Executive Officer of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), said the world is witnessing a steady rise in the abuse of illicit drugs and a marked shift from traditional substances to synthetic ones.

“Current trends indicate a global rise in the abuse of illicit drugs,” Dr. Omerikwa noted. “There is a steady shift from traditional substances to synthetic drugs, thereby increasing the number of New Psychoactive Substances with their adverse social and health consequences.”

He cautioned that Kenya’s strategic location and connectivity make it a target for drug trafficking networks, adding that African countries are increasingly becoming consumption markets, not just transit routes. “Some African countries are no longer just transit routes,” he said. “We are witnessing the increasing availability of drugs for local use.”

To address this growing threat, Dr. Omerikwa said Kenya is adopting a multi-pronged strategy that combines intelligence-led enforcement with a health-centered approach.

“Kenya is addressing drug-related crime through Alternatives to Incarceration,” he explained, highlighting policies that divert persons using drugs toward treatment and rehabilitation instead of imprisonment. This, he said, reflects Kenya’s broader commitment to inclusive development under the Sustainable Development Goals.

The NACADA CEO also underscored the role of data in combating drug abuse, citing the establishment of a National Drug Observatory to monitor emerging trends and guide interventions. He called for stronger global cooperation to tackle evolving threats such as trafficking through fast parcels and online platforms, and the growing commercialization of controlled substances like cannabis for non-medical use.

Dr. Omerikwa urged international delegates to prioritize the protection of youth and to end discrimination against drug users who require treatment rather than punishment.

The HONLEA meeting, convened by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), brings together top drug enforcement officials from across the globe to coordinate strategies and share intelligence in tackling the world drug problem. This year’s session in Vienna focused on the rise of synthetic opioids, emerging trafficking routes, and innovative approaches to enforcement and public health.