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Kenyan youth turning to codeine-based cough syrup highs

There are currently thousands of young people in Nairobi and North Eastern Kenya who are abusing the popular cough syrup Benylin to get high.

Benylin is codeine-based and is a narcotic cough-suppressant and pain-reliever like hydrocodone and morphine.

As the demand for the drug by young adults and teenagers has increased, the price of the drug has skyrocketed by 1,400%.

Local police departments are very concerned about this growing trend as many Benylin abusers have turned to criminal activity, such as robbery, to fund their habits.

In addition, local anti-drug groups have noted an increased use of the drug by students in primary and secondary schools, resulting in increased drop-out rates.

In addition to Nairobi, the trend to increased abuse of codeine-based cough syrup is accelerating in several North Eastern counties. Many of the young people chew khat regularly and mix the cough syrup with soda. The combination is very effective in producing a high, but it also can be deadly.

Educationist Alibashir Mohamed speculates that young people have been turning to drugs because of a lack of recreational and entertainment facilities.

Alibashir points out that drug abuse has become a problem worldwide. For example, a recent study in the US found that more than 5 million people above the age of 12 abuse prescription drugs, including codeine-based cough syrup.

While drug abuse among Kenyans has been only growing slowly, recently compiled health statistics show that 90 people die in Kenya every year due to drug abuse.

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