by Peter Mutai
NAIROBI, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's health ministry on Wednesday launched guidelines for the treatment of substance use disorders to deal with the country's alarming drug abuse.
Director of Medical Services Jackson Kioko said that substance drug abuse is alarming in the country especially with the youths.
He warned that illicit drug is a threat towards the achievement of Kenya's Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since the youths that composed of two-thirds of the populations are heavily consuming them.
"Kenya is currently experiencing an upsurge of international narcotic drug trafficking leading to increased injecting drug users (IDUs) due to its strategic location in the East African region," he said.
Kioko said the protocol provides guidelines on comprehensive and evidence-based management of substance use disorders, as well as the requisite principles and standards for service delivery.
It will be in addition to other guidelines the ministry has developed to address the problem, he said.
Kioko said that the ministry is currently engaging various stakeholders to help reduce demand for illicit drugs, HIV infection and drug-related crimes.
Several studies have highlighted the serious nature of substance use in Kenya, ranging from alcohol and tobacco to cannabis, khat, heroin and others.
The drugs that are often abused include cocaine, heroin, and other synthetic drugs that often leave consumers with problems related to impulse control and impulsive behavior.
Director of Mental Health Simon Njuguna said the protocol outlines the pharmacological treatment, psychosocial interventions and aftercare support that will be provided in line with international standards and procedures.
"The document provides a humane and scientific approach delivered by skilled practitioners in order to assist the drug dependent person to attain the highest level of personal, professional, familial and social functioning," Njuguna noted.
