National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) Chairman Stephen Mairori has announced that more than one million people are addicted to alcohol, drugs and substances in the Rift Valley region.
Speaking on Friday, November 24 during the launch of a Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre at the Koiwa Hospital in Bomet County, Mairori noted that out of the over million residents, 400,000 are in need of rehabilitation services.
“In Rift Valley alone, over 1 million use alcohol and other forms of drugs. Out of these numbers about 400,000 need rehabilitation. That’s a very large number,” he said.
Pastor Dorcas Rigathi while opening the rehabilitation centre observed that a 22 percent prevalence of drugs and substance abuse in Bomet County is worrying.
“I understand there is a 22% prevalence of drugs in this county. That is very bad, and if we don’t do something Governor Barchok this county will have a big problem,“ she stated.
Pastor Dorcas further cautioned those involved in the business of selling killer brews in the country saying their days are numbered.
“Those selling poison to our children must close those businesses and get something else to do,“ she said.
The Office of the Spouse of the Deputy President in collaboration with other stakeholders has been conducting a screening exercise to identify those in need of rehabilitation services.
From the screening exercise, 37 men from Konoin expressed desire to be rehabilitated while 56 from Sotik area volunteered. In Chepalungu 72 were identified while 41 were identified in Bomet East and Central each.
Over 100 men have joined the facility as the first cohort that will be at the facility for three months receiving treatment and rehabilitation.
Pastor Dorcas has been engaging county first ladies in such initiatives that she wants to spread across the country.
So far, she has launched a health village in Rumuruti Laikipia County and signed an MoU with the County Government of Nyeri to set up a facility in Ngorano area while a facility dubbed Dorcas Rigathi Foundation Centre was opened this week in OlKalou Nyandarua County hosting the second cohort of the rehabilitation program under her office.
