NAIROBI, Kenya- 65 reformed drug addicts from the coastal counties have graduated today after a 6-months rehabilitation program under the office of the Spouse of the Deputy President Pastor Dorcas Rigathi.
The 65 included 7 women who were part of the program at two rehabilitation-Eden house-Likoni and Reachout facilities at the coast region and sponsored by Pastor Dorcas.
The reformed addicts were identified when Pastor Dorcas toured Shimamzi drug dens in Mombasa before she organized a medical camp at the Railways dispensary and Miritini late last year.
Many of the addicts had lost hope of ever regaining their well-being after being addicted to drugs for years. Religious leaders from have pledged to support the initiative.
Pastor Dorcas could not hide her joy seeing the transformation in the man and boys who have been into drugs for years. She noted that some reformed addicts were admitted to the facilities with their families (wives and children) after her visit at the drug dens.
“When I went looking for the boychild at the dens, but as I was taking the boychild to rehab, some told me they had wives and children and we had to take them (wives and children) as well. “She said.
Under the rehabilitation program one of the facilities has been accommodating the addicts with their families.
“The lives of our children are very precious and we must save them regardless of our differences. When I look at you (Religious leaders) I see the solution to the challenges facing our children. We must save our generation, “She added.
State Department of Medical Services Harry Kimutai lauded the efforts by Pastor Dorcas in saving the boychild.PS Kimutai said the efforts are saving a generation. The PS promised that through his ministry some of the men will be trained as trainers.
“We will pick some of them and train them to become trainers, those who will be going to those dens to fish out the rest. “He said.
Kisauni DCC Jamleck Mbumba promised that the local administration will work with the religious leaders in fighting the drugs and substance abuse menace at the coastal county.
“The battle is not over but we have made progress. We urge all of us to join hands and end this menace and everyone to do their responsibility in saving our children. “He said.
Ushindi Baptist Church Bishop Joseph Maisha lauded Pastor Dorcas for the transformation of the 65 adding that there is a new hope at the coast.
“When we were in Shimanzi I saw some of the addicts in very bad situations, but Pastor Dorcas went to them and they were crying to her as their mother. They had lost hope, but now I see the work that has been done and as the coast region we are proud. “Bishop Maisha said.
His sentiments were echoed by Sheikh Rashid Swaleh who called for collaborative efforts in the fight against alcoholism, drugs and substance abuse.
Evelyn Watere popularly known as Queen Latifah one of the seven women under the program and now a reformed addict could not hide her joy after a successful journey.
Watere has been a heroin addict for more than 26 Years. Together with her husband they both joined the program during the visit by Pastor Dorcas at the Shimanzi drug den.
“I have been trying to get out of the addiction for years but it has not been successful but when mama Dorcas promised to help us, I have seen transformation. I can now see the future in my life.”
Boniface Ndirangu who is a reformed addict and a counsellor who has walked with the addicts on a recovery journey said that it was the first time that someone faced the hard drugs menace head-on. Ndirangu pointed out the high rate of success in the program.
“It is the first time we have seen someone doing something about heroin addicts in this magnitude. “He noted.
The forum also sensitized religious leaders from the coastal counties on prevention and treatment for HIV, drugs, alcohol, and substance abuse among boys and men.
Pastor Dorcas also launched the Country Action Framework for Acceleration progress in Ending Aids and promoting Health and Well Being of Boys and Men in Kenya urging religious leaders to be at the forefront in ending stigma among those living with HIV/Aids.
The National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) through the CEO Ruth Masha noted that more than 5,500 men and boys died of HIV/Aids in 2022.
NSDCC chairman Geoffrey Gitu also urged religious leaders to help in ending stigma.
