SEND DRUG ADDICTS TO REHAB NOT JAIL, COUNTY OFFICIAL SAYS

Kwale County health executive Athman Chiguzo who has said drug addicts arrested by police should be taken to rehabilitation centres instead of being jailed. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By FAROUK MWABEGE
Drug addicts arrested by police should be taken to rehabilitation centres instead of being jailed, Kwale health executive Athman Chiguzo has said.
Mr Chiguzo cited withdrawal syndrome among such victims that sometimes leads to their death as they serve jail terms.
Speaking during a leadership forum on HIV, harm reduction and the law organized by Reachout Center Trust at Diani Reef Hotel, Mr Chiguzo called for a review of the law.
He noted that the addicts should be treated as ill people who are in need of medical support regardless of mistakes which they might have committed.
“As an executive and a health expert I would like to put it clearly that these people are sick and they should be brought to us instead of being taken to jail,” he said.
He said that if it is necessary for the addicts to be taken to court then it has to be just as a way of asking for permission for them to be taken to a rehabilitation centre.
He added that the county government has put in place sufficient mechanisms to ensure that the drug addicts get medical assistance to transform them into responsible citizens.
“With support of UNODC we are putting up a rehabilitation centre in Kombani area at a cost of Sh11 million and will have 12 nurses and clinical officers,” he said.
Mr Chiguzo discouraged county residents against stigmatizing the drug addicts who are commonly referred to as ‘Mateja’ and mostly disowned by their families.
His sentiments were echoed by Matuga OCPD Patrick Oduma who stressed on the need for the county to have a rehabilitation centres at least in every Sub-County.
“I do not know if there is any alternative medicine which is given to people who are addicted to drugs but if it is there then let it be prescribed to them,” he said.
Similarly, the police boss urged county residents to support police officers in information sharing to enable the arrest of drug barons and cut off of drug supply to the youths.
According to a survey by Teens Watch Rehabilitation Centre, Kwale County has 316 injecting drug users and over 4000 sniffing heroin and cocaine.

CREDIT: NATION