Trapped in the Bottle: The Untold Cost of Drug and Substance Abuse

By Alex Onono Oleng,

In the quiet town of Chuka, 22-year-old Brian was once known as a hardworking student with big dreams. His teachers admired his intelligence and his parents were confident he would one day become a successful engineer. 

Today, however, Brian spends most of his time sitting outside a small shop, his eyes weary and his future uncertain. Like many young people, he found himself trapped in the dangerous cycle of drug and substance abuse.

Brian’s turning point came at the age of 18 when he joined college. There, he met new friends who introduced him to drugs during weekend parties. What began with alcohol soon escalated. Before long, he was experimenting with bhang and marijuana. Within months, his behaviour began to change. He stopped attending classes regularly and his grades dropped sharply.

His parents noticed the shift. Brian became aggressive, secretive and increasingly withdrawn. What had started as curiosity quickly spiraled into addiction, slowly derailing the bright future everyone once envisioned for him.

Brian’s story reflects a growing concern across many communities, where drug and substance abuse continues to take a heavy toll on young people. Substances such as alcohol and marijuana not only affect the body but also interfere with mental health and decision-making. Many users turn to drugs as a way to cope with stress, peer pressure or personal struggles, often unaware of the long-term consequences.

The effects can be devastating. Drug abuse weakens the immune system and damages vital organs such as the brain, liver, and heart. Users may experience memory loss, poor concentration, and serious mental health challenges. Beyond the physical impact, addiction also disrupts social life, destroying relationships, straining families and pushing some individuals toward crime, school dropouts or job loss.

Experts emphasise that addressing this crisis requires a collective effort. Awareness campaigns, especially in schools and community spaces, play a key role in educating young people about the dangers of drug use. Counseling and rehabilitation programmes are equally important, offering victims a chance to recover and rebuild their lives. With proper support and professional help, many individuals can successfully reintegrate into society.

Families, too, have a critical role to play. Instead of isolating those struggling with addiction, experts encourage compassion and support as key steps toward recovery. At a broader level, government and authorities must strengthen measures to control the supply of drugs, while also investing in youth empowerment initiatives such as sports, education and employment opportunities to keep young people engaged and away from harmful influences.

Today, Brian is slowly rebuilding his life after enrolling in a rehabilitation programme. Though the journey is not easy, he remains hopeful that his experience can serve as a lesson to others.

“Drugs almost destroyed my life,” he says.

His message is simple but powerful: Prevention, Awareness and Support can save lives before it is too late.

Alex Oleng is a Mass Communication Student at Chuka University