Pubdate: Mon, 10 Feb 2003 Source: Daily Nation (Kenya) Copyright: 2003 Nation Newspapers Contact: (254-2)213946 Website: http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/868 VARSITY HEAD APPEALS FOR HELP OVER DRUGS The Kenyatta University administration has appealed to the institution's community to help reduce drug abuse among students. Vice-Chancellor George Eshiwani said a third of the students were involved in the vice. Prof Eshiwani said abuse of hard drugs by the students was one of the institution's biggest problems. He said several cases had been identified and that addicts were being rehabilitated. "This is a major problem which we have to tackle alongside others like HIV/Aids," he said. He was addressing a Sunday service at the university's Christ the Teacher Catholic chapel. The Vice-Chancellor said some victims were being rehabilitated within the institution, while others were being treated elsewhere, and risked ending their education prematurely. "Many of the drug abusers cannot be identified because they carry on with their lives fairly well, but they are really sick," he said. He had identified the crisis in his capacity as a member of the counselling and rehabilitation programme, he added. "We're appealing to you to report these cases," Prof Eshiwani told the congregation of students, lecturers and other staff. "Bring these students to us and let's help them," he said and attributed the January 27 student unrest to drugs. The students rioted demanding the re-establishment of their union, Kenyatta University Students Association, which was disbanded two years ago and the readmission of all their colleagues who have been expelled or suspended from the institution.. The union has since been revived and the students are set to hold their elections on Wednesday this week. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens