SOURCE: NAIROBI STAR
Maureen Mudi
The fight against drug abuse in Mombasa has been declared a flop after conflict between major stakeholders. The National Agency Against Drug Abuse, the provincial administration and heads of the four temporary rehabilitation centres set up in the region, are at loggerheads over how the process should be implemented.
It is also claimed drugs supplied to rehabilitation centres have run out and addicts have been left to suffer in silence. The Kenya Red Cross disbursed drugs to assist about 10,000 addicts for three months.
The Coast PC Ernest Munyi is against the putting up of tents at the rehabs in order to supply food to addicts, saying the situation may create ground for fake IDP camps. But Nacada director Sheikh Juma Ngao is of the view that the food should be given in the centres.
About 12 clinical officers who are to be paid Sh15,000 a month have complained they have worked for three months without pay. The four heads of the centres in Kisauni, Likoni, Changamwe and Mombasa, claimed the tents, supplied by the Kenya Red Cross, are a waste since the stand off has delayed the process of putting them up.
The Mtongwe drugs rehabilitation programme director, Jacob Boaz, says the process has flopped since the government did not follow the recommendations given to it by international medics during their engagement.
Boaz said: “The medics, including US’s Lisa Young, advised the government to ensure the addicts take the medication at the facilities, but that does not happen, they are allowed to walk away with them, and end up selling the same.”At the weekend, Nacada met chiefs, district officers and other stakeholders to try and sort out the matters. Boaz said: “This is now a waste of resources, time and money, it is like the government is diverting attention in this fight, why has anyone especially a minister of MP, ever been charged with drug trafficking, yet it is known they do it.” Some of the tents are still lying at the medical services office, months after KRC delivered them.
The United Nations Office Against Drugs Centre will provide food for the 100 addicts in every centre. Stakeholders have complained the food is being channeled to the less fortunate and schools.
It was further claimed that Sh9 million had been disbursed by the government to Coast General Hospital, the main centre dealing with the addicts, for the provision of food, but the addicts are only given a slice of bread.
The Provincial Medical Services Director, Morris Siminyu, added that the programme is facing problems, but dismissed most of the claims saying the situation was under control.
7 March 2011
