Gov't to establish addiction treatment, rehabilitation centers nationwide - CS Kindiki

The government has announced plans to establish treatment and rehabilitation centres across the 47 counties in a bid to rehabilitate and reintegrate drug addicts back into society.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki made the announcement on Tuesday when he toured the the construction site of the Ksh.1.3 billion Miritini Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre  in Mombasa County.

"The war on illicit alcohol, narcotic drugs, and psychotropic substances entails the complete suppression of both the supply and demand. To suppress demand, treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration of addicts remains a key objective of the Government," he said.

"The National Government is putting up several Treatment and Rehabilitation Centres and will partner with County Governments to ensure each of our 47 Counties has such a centre offering affordable, publicly funded services to members of the public receiving treatment and rehabilitation."

The Miritini centre, which is already operational and treating 50 patients, will have treatment, rehabilitation and re-integration programs including training the recovered patients with technical skills like masonry, tailoring and engineering crafts and providing start-up capital for small businesses in line with their skills.

Its capacity is expected to increase five-fold upon its completion.

NACADA Chairman Rev. Stephen Mairori, CEO Dr. Anthony Omerikwa as well as members of Mombasa County's Security and Intelligence  had accompanied the CS.