County governments and Members of Parliament in the Coast region have been urged to set aside money to build rehabilitation centres for victims recovering from drug abuse.
The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) chair John Mututho said the counties in the region should have more rehabilitation centres for drug addicts.
Mututho said the county government should use the funds they collect from the liquor licences to treat drug addicts.
According to the Nacada boss who was speaking to journalists on Thursday after a meeting with leaders in Mombasa, thousands of youth in the county are affected by drugs and substance abuse.
“Many lives are lost in this region due to drug abuse as thousands of youth struggle with various drug substances.”
He on governors to contribute Sh100 million and MPs Sh20 million which will be used to build rehabilitation centres in the region.
“Leaders from this region should ensure the campaign against drug abuse in their areas is a success and cases of drug addicts among the youth reduced,” he said.
“I want to urge the county governments to set aside money to build rehabilitation centres to help reform drug addicts.”
The chairman added that drug abuse among youth is still a challenge urging the leaders to work together to fight the menace.