Pubdate: Mon, 06 Oct 2003 Source: East African Standard, The (Kenya) Copyright: 2003 The East African Standard Contact: http://www.eastandard.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1743 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Kenya (Kenya) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) SAITOTI SAYS GOVT TO INCLUDE DRUGS IN SCHOOL CURRICULUM Nairobi The Ministry of Education plans to incorporate drug and illicit liquor abuse education into the curriculum. The Ministry is currently carrying out an evaluation exercise in primary and secondary schools so as to approve books that incorporate topics that deal with drug abuse. Education Minister, Prof George Saitoti, said at the weekend the Ministry is working in liaison with other stakeholders to strengthen guidance and counselling programmes, drug clubs in schools. Saitoti said the Government move has been necessitated by studies which reveal that 92 per cent of youth in school have experimented with alcohol or drugs at least once. "Visits by guidance and counselling officials from my Ministry revealed that books in libraries have loose pages because students are using them to roll drugs," said Saitoti in a speech read by the Director of Education, Mr Patrick Myagosia. The official was addressing a Drugs Free Day ceremony hosted by the National Agency for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (Nacada). The event that was held at the Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) marked the first anniversary since the college was declared a drug free zone by the agency following a survey that identified the college to be free of drug abuse. "We are working to see that other learning institutions emulate the example of KCA. Smoking should be banned in all public places," said Nacada National Co-ordinator, Mr Joseph Kaguthi. Kaguthi said most youth first experiment with cigarettes before moving on to hard drugs like bhang, mandrax, cocaine and heroine. "Because of our decision, our staff and students can stand firm without drinking and smoking for eight hours. This is the first step to them avoiding drugs and alcohol when they get out there," said the Chairman of KCA Board, Nelly Ngigi. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin