Kwale drug addicts get medication

After a long wait for detoxification program for drug addicts in Kwale County, two containers arrived in the county ready to set up a methadone clinic to help wean the addicts.

The clinic will be set at the Kombani Dispensary and expected to start dispensing methadone to the first batch of 600 addicts in the next two weeks.

This is through a partnership between the United Nations Office on Crime and Drugs (UNODC), National Aids and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), Ministry of Health and County Government of Kwale.

The Ministry of Health said it will work with Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in Kwale to identify the addicts to be enrolled on the medication.

Dr Fatuma Hajj, in charge of drug rehabilitation program in Kwale, said once the clinic start running drug users will be put on at least two year medication programme.

“We would also work with their family and friends to integrate them and look for them jobs to do,” she noted.

The drug addicts welcomed the move saying they feel appreciated.

“I am happy today because I have waited for this for a long time, after going through the programme and getting better I would want to go back to my job,” said Ali Bakari, a former Administration Police officer who lost his job due to drug addiction.