Governor Amason Kingi to set up rehabilitation centres to assist youth

KILIFI: Governor Amason Kingi has decried the high number of youths, either killed or being destroyed by drugs in the county.

He announced that his administration will establish drug treatment and rehabilitation centres at various hot spots in Kilifi County.

He said they are in talks with foreign organisations to provide training and skills on how to run such centres.

"At the moment we are in talks with various organisation abroad who can supply us with medicines for addicts to assist them reduce the craving. They will also offer us training on drug addictions," said Mr Kingi.

The governor said some drug addicts in the county were willing to stop the vice, but could not afford fee charged in private rehabilitation centres.

He said new drugs they intend to introduce the addicts to will allow them to only visit the centres for medication, then go back home.

"We have realised that when addicts join rehabilitation centres they are separated from their families resulting in stigma when they return home after being rehabilitated. This prompts them to go back to the vice," said Kingi.

POTENTIAL WORKFORCE

He said unless the vice was stopped, more youths risk dying, thus depriving the county future leaders and potential workforce.

Known drug taking hotspots in the county include Malindi, kiifi, Mtwapa and Mariakani.

The move follows the launch of a similar programme dubbed 'Medical Assisted Therapy' targeting drug users in Malindi by United Nation on Drug and Crime (UNODC).

Already, UNODC has spent Sh10 million to set up a rehabilitation centre at the Malindi District Hospital.

The Officer In-charge of the programme Godfrey Njoroge said the clinic targets over 1,500 drug users in the Malindi.

"The clinic can hold over 1,500 addicts. It has the required facilities and medications. We administer 'metyhadone' to heroin users," he said.