Kenya’s National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has warned about a concerning trend among drug addicts who inject animal tranquilisers as a substitute for heroin. 

This alarming development follows the widespread circulation of videos on social media depicting individuals in Kenya’s coastal region exhibiting “zombie-like” behaviour.

In a statement released on Sunday, NACADA reported surprising findings that challenge prevailing beliefs about the substances involved. Contrary to the common assumption that fentanyl, an extremely potent synthetic opioid, was responsible for these distressing scenes, NACADA’s investigations revealed a different picture.

The agency’s analysis indicated that the symptoms observed in these drug abusers were primarily linked to an unusually high dosage of heroin. However, that was not the whole story. 

In addition to heroin, individuals were found to be combining various substances in their drug cocktails. These substances included xylazine, a veterinary tranquiliser, prescription drugs and other unidentified compounds. This risky blend of substances significantly amplifies the inherent dangers of drug abuse.

NACADA expressed deep concern over the implications of the emerging trend. The misuse of veterinary drugs, particularly xylazine, is now seen as a potential public health crisis, especially in managing drug overdose cases. 

The agency said urgent action is required to prevent further harm to individuals struggling with addiction and to safeguard public health.

In response to these findings, NACADA has called for immediate measures to regulate and control the diversion of veterinary drugs into illegal markets. It said the efforts are crucial to address the root causes of the problem and mitigate the associated risks to individuals and communities.