By Mgandi Ngala
The recently launched two fully furnished containers at Kombani area in Kwale County will enable drug users in the county get methadone treatment without travelling to Mombasa for the same services.
According to Anti-drug lobby Reachout Centre Trust Executive Director Taib Abdulrahman, the two containers with a registration room, counseling room, a pharmacy, a laboratory and other important departments are very critical in ensuring drug users get the required services in a bid to disentangle them from the menace.
Speaking after visiting the health site on Friday, Taib extended his appreciation to USAID an international donor for the assistance and recognizing the effort Reachout implemented in realizing a drug free society at the Coast.
He said that over 400 drug users at Kwale were receiving methadone treatment on daily basis under close monitor of Reachout community workers providing health services in various parts of Kwale County.
He said that United Nation Office on Drug and Crime-UNODC has been lending a hand to the anti drug abuse organization to enable it change the lives of drug users by bringing then close to counselors, rehabilitating and treating them.
“UNODC recognized what we have been doing in the region for the last 15 years of serving the community, it is through such partnership that we are able to achieve positive impact to drug users” added Mr. Taib.
He said that the organization has been providing health services from the needle and syringe exchange program to methadone treatment and other counseling services to drug users all over the coast region.
“Rehabilitating over 800 drug users in the region wasn’t an easy task that’s why we are calling for more partners to help us broaden our activities and reach more drug users who need our help” he emphasized.
He appealed for more funding from donors so that the organization reaches more both female and male drug users in all the six Coastal counties being Taita taveta, Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana river and Lamu.
