Kisii County governor, James Ongwae has told drunkards and drug abusers that they will not be allowed to make the newly launched Kiamwasi Rehabilitation Centre in Kitutu Central sub county, Kisii County their home.
He said those who abuse drugs and alcohol will be hosted at the Centre for a short time, be trained, treated, reform and return to their homes to take care of their families or relatives.
“The centre has 20 to 30 beds. We do not expect those admitted to settle and feel that they are at home. They will leave to create room for others to be supported” Ongwae said.
He was speaking after the National Authority for Campaigns Against Drug Abuse ( NACADA) Chief Executive Officer, ( CEO) Victor Okioma handed over the project to the county government yesterday.
Ongwae, accompanied by area Ward Representative, Duke Nyarango and Acting Trade Executive Committee Member, Esman Onsarigo and nominated Members of Kisii County Assembly; Jane Justin and Josephine Ombati noted some people with stressed life resorted to abusing drugs and alcohol, adding the Centre will help them reform and lead normal lives.
“ In sub-Saharan Africa, the number of people who abuse alcohol and drugs will increase by 130 per cent by 2050” Ongwae said after he received a completion certificate of the project from the CEO, adding the Centre was co-funded by the county and the Authority at a cost of Ksh. 22 m.
He lauded the Authority for the support, stressing that drugs and alcohol had created cancerous diseases, affected employees some of whom had lost their jobs due to addiction and low productivity.
Okioma noted Kisii and Nyamira counties were hot spots for drugs and alcohol abuse, noting it had broken families, led to job losses in public and private sectors due to absenteeism and low productivity among other adverse consequences of the addiction.
The CEO, flanked by Nyanza regional Coordinator, Esther Okenye urged the county government to utilize funds from alcohol licences to construct rehabilitation centres and intensify campaigns in prevention of alcohol and drug abuse.
“I urge the County to establish Directorate on drug control, research, prevention programs and rehabilitation,” Okioma stated
The CEO urged the county government to be strict before licensing kiosks to sell wine and spirits to avoid dotting the town with the kiosks whose operators flout rules.
