NACADA Policy on Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse
This week, The National Agency for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA) launched the National Policy for the Prevention, Management, and Control of Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Abuse, introducing several far-reaching proposals. Key among them is a plan to raise the minimum legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years. The policy also seeks to ban celebrity endorsements of alcoholic beverages, prohibit the online sale and delivery of alcohol, and restrict the location of bars near residential areas, places of worship, and schools. However, the policy has already drawn criticism for lacking adequate stakeholder consultation and for the potential economic impact it may have across the alcohol value chain. The proposed policy is in its formative stages and will require amendments to the national Alcoholic Drinks Control Act before it is adopted.