Drug addicts question rehabilitation programme

By LINAH BENYAWA

Drug addicts at the Coast have expressed fear that the programme initiated by the Government to rehabilitate them is likely to flop.

Some of the addicts who visit the Coast Provincial General Hospital to get treatment said the programme could be a white elephant and demanded the setting up of rehabilitation centres.

An addict, Simon Gitonga, said: "The Government has to do better other than just giving us the tablets. The only solution that could save us from drug abuse is being taken to rehabilitation centres."

Gitonga also noted that the outpatient services at the hospital would not be helpful at all, claiming he might return to drug use whenever he goes back home.

Drug addicts await counselling and treatment at Coast General Hospital, Tuesday. Many have complained that the Government’s intervention is wanting. [PHOTO: MAARUFU MOHAMED/STANDARD]

"I stay in a place where I can easily access drugs and so the outpatient programme would not succeed because I can easily drift into the vice," he stated.

He is among the addicts suffering from withdrawal symptoms.

Provincial Director of Medical Services Morris Siminyu said plans are under way to offer the addicts a feeding programme to help them recuperate.

Siminyu explained that they had partnered with the Provincial Administration, the Red Cross and other groups to ensure that the addicts who had visited the hospital for treatment were given food and security.

"Plans are underway to provide food for the patients, we know that the tablets we give them are strong and one is supposed to be well fed when under the dosage. That is why we came up with measures to ensure they are taken care of," said Siminyu.

He said that there were arrangements to set up rehabilitation centers in different parts of Mombasa.