The Mombasa County government will assist victims of drugs abuse in the region by taking them to rehabilitation centres.
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho said he will partner with other leaders in the region to ensure that the affected youth receive treatment.
The governor who was speaking on Wednesday in Mombasa Town after more than 90 drug addicts surrendered to the leaders said the county government will provide treatment to any drug user who will surrender to the government.
The governor called on security agencies in the coastal region to work closely with locals to ensure the fight against drugs is intensified in the region.
“Drug addiction has negatively affected the county’s security, education levels and economy and the situation would worsen if no interventions are made,” said Joho.
He added: “We as the leaders are ready to help our youth get treatment by providing rehabilitation and counseling services. We will also provide jobs to the youth who have completed their treatment.”
The governor added that the county government will not relent in its efforts to fight drugs peddlers in the region.
The youth who had surrendered to the county leaders asked to be rehabilitated and to be provided with counseling services.
The more than 90 youth said they have been using various types of drugs for more than 15 years which has negatively affected their lives.
One of the youth only identified as Mohamed said many young people in the region are addicted to the drugs and are unable to work and earn a living.
“We are appealing to the county government to assist us. We are tired of living like this as we are disappointments to our families. We have decided on our own will to surrender to the leaders in the county for them to help us in any way,” said Mohamed.