The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) has asked the national government to provide Sh1 billion to fight the war on drugs in the Coast region.
Nacada chairman John Mututho who urged the government to allocate more money said the current budget is insufficient to facilitate the campaign against drugs in the region.
Mr Mututho said the authority needs more money allocated to Nacada claiming the Sh160 million given by the government is insufficient for them to discharge their mandate effectively.
The authority which is tasked with the mandate to campaign against the vice that has affected many people in the region will need more money to fight drug abuse countrywide, he said.
“More than 60,000 addicts are in the Coast region and the funds available are not enough to cater for all of them," Mututho said.
“Nacada will require more money allocated to it to resolve the drug menace that has affected many youth and the number of addicts keeps increasing.”
He was speaking to journalists during a meeting with Coast religious and youth leaders and security agencies.
“Our budget of Sh160 million is little to facilitate our activities. Therefore the government should increase the amount to enhance our operations and campaigns,” added the Nacada chairman.
President Kenyatta and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho last week directed a crackdown on drug dealers at the Coast.