We need more money, says Nacada chairman

Nacada Chairman John Mututho.

National Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) Chairman John Mututho, has challenged county governments and MPs to set aside money to build rehabilitation centres to help reform drug addicts.

Mr Mututho told politicians to ensure the campaign against drug abuse in their counties succeeds.

He said governors and MPs should invest Sh100 million and Sh20 million respectively for the rehabilitation centres to help reform thousands of youths struggling with various drug substances.

Speaking in Mombasa Thursday, during a meeting with religious and youth leaders, security agencies and drug rehabilitation agencies, Mututho said the President had shown the political will, therefore, the political leaders in counties should take up the initiative.

“All the governors should give Sh100 million and MPs in all counties contribute Sh20 million each from their constituency development fund (CDF) kitty to build rehabilitation facilities for the addicts,” said Mututho.

He said all the six coastal counties should contribute Sh20 million each to build one huge rehabilitation centre and then put up referral facilities in their own counties.

He said governors have been collecting license fees from bars for the past two years and the money collected should now be used solely to set up rehabilitation centres.

The Nacada boss said his authority is supposed to receive funds from collecting licensing fees; a job now being done by the county governments.

Nacada Coast Director Juma Ngao, said there is need for the Government to increase the authority’s budget that currently stands at Sh160 million.

Drop in ocean

Mr Ngao said the current budget is not enough to facilitate the campaign against drugs and to do administrative work.

“Our budget is Sh160 million, which is just a drop in the ocean considering the magnitude of the work that needs to be done countrywide. Therefore, the Government should increase the amount to enhance our operations and campaigns,” he said.

He said the coastal region requires Sh1 billion to sort out the drugs issue, including setting up base for addicts to receive methadone drugs to help them fight off the addiction.

Reach Out Centre Project Co-ordinator Mwinyi Abbas, said the ongoing crack down on drugs is leaving many with withdrawal symptoms that may lead to deaths.

Mr Mwinyi said there is need for a well-laid out strategy by the Government to ensure addicts have enough methadone to help fight off withdrawal symptoms.

“Addicts who inject tend to be uncomfortable, experience pain, fever, a lot of sweating, diarrhea, vomiting and lack of sleep,” he said.