NYS rehab centre to begin operations on Tuesday
From left: Nacada director Sheikh Juma Ngao, regional Manager George Karisa and Mombasa County Commissioner Evans Achoki during an inspection tour of the NYS camp in Miritini on September 9, 2016. The camp is set to rehabilitate some 200 drug addicts from Mombasa County. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- During his Coast tour last week, President Kenyatta ordered a crackdown on drug trafficking and illicit alcohol business.
Admission and rehabilitation of the first batch of drug addicts to the NYS camp starts on Tuesday.
This comes just days after President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a 14-day ultimatum to National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (Nacada) to start rehabilitating addicts.
During an inspection of Miritini National Youth service Camp on Saturday, Mombasa County Commissioner Evans Achoki and Nacada Director Juma Ngao said everything was going on as planned.
“We are here to assess preparedness of this camp as we expect it to receive addicts from next week,” Mr Achoki said.
He added that the centre is ready to accommodate at least 100 men and 100 women for free rehabilitation.
“The addicts should voluntarily register. We understand most are sick and need assistance. We’ll find out ways of convincing them to come,” he added.
During his Coast tour last week, President Kenyatta ordered a crackdown on drug trafficking and illicit alcohol business.
He also directed leaders to get involved in the rehabilitation of addicts.
Mr Achoki said the government was serious in tackling drug menace and would go for barons, not just peddlers and users.
“It doesn’t matter how long it takes. They can run but will not hide,” he said.
Sheikh Ngao called on locals to take their children for rehabilitation, adding that treatment for cocaine and heroin addicts would last two weeks.
He said that the county had close to 50,000 drug addicts.
