Residents of Kiambu sub-county are appealing to the county government to set up a rehabilitation and treatment centre in the area for recovering drugs and substance abuse victims.
They said the centre will enable them access treatment without incurring travelling expenses.
Jane Kamau, a mother to one of the victims and a resident at Kirigiti said the absence of a public rehab centre sabotages efforts to successfully rehabilitate victims.
“My son used to indulge in drugs and substance abuse while in high school and after he came home, I noted a behavioural change which showed he was abusing drugs. But it took my family quite a long time to get a public rehabilitation and treatment center as the private rehabs charge high fees,” she said.
She said most people who have their relatives addicted to drugs shy away from taking them to private rehabs because of the high costs.
Fred Kuria, echoed Kamau’s sentiments saying a public rehabilitation center in the area would help boost the fight against drugs and substance abuse.
“Most of the parents who are not able to take their addicted children to private rehabilitation centers would really benefit from the communal ones and in the process help reduce drug abuse related deaths,” he added.
The area Deputy OCPD Johnston Lyambila said the police department was working hard at ensuring those dealing in drugs are prosecuted in court.
The officer observed that the department in partnership with the relevant stakeholders like the national government together with the area probation officers and community service were jointly fighting the drug and substance abuse menace which was proving successful.
He said there were few cases of those arrested in possession of drugs and illicit brews.