Pubdate: Mon, 12 May 2003 Source: Daily Nation (Kenya) Copyright: 2003 Nation Newspapers Contact: (254-2)213946 Website: http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/868 Author: Robert Nyagah ANTI-DRUG CENTRE FACES CLOSURE British funding for Malindi's heroin users' rehabilitation centre ends A rehabilitation centre for drug addicts might be closed for lack of funding. Local and international donors have delayed money for Omar Centre in Malindi which was started three years ago to rehabilitate heroin users. The project was launched under a three-year funding from the UK's Community Fund, the centre chairman, Mr Shee Abdallah, said. This has come to an end and the centre has applied for new funding which has not been forthcoming. Locally, the centre has sought support from the Kenya National Aids Council. This is because experts at the centre are able to reach drug users who are at high risk of contracting Aids. Mr Abdallah said the centre was started due to the prevalence of heroin addiction among the youth and adults in Shella, Watamu and Maweni. Since its launch at Msabaha, it has helped rehabilitate 150 men and women abusers of the drug. Mr Abdalla said the centre was developed in partnership with the Bristol Drugs Project, a British NGO, and has been accommodating a maximum of 20 people at any one time. Its construction was funded by the British High Commission in Kenya to the tune of Sh2.2 million under the Department for International Development's Small Grants Scheme. It also received Sh7 million from the National Lottery Charities Board of the United Kingdom. Ms Maggie Telfer, the director of Bristol Drugs Project, said the centre's six-month free detoxification and rehabilitation programme was unique in Africa. She said the committee managing the centre was keen to share its experience with others interested in reducing heroin use, adding that it was already collaborating with groups in Lamu, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Omar Centre project leader Susan Beckerleg said: "We face an uncertain future as we await the outcome of grant applications in Kenya and the UK. We are asking the Community Fund to continue their assistance." She said the centre was now struggling to provide service, adding that they had reduced costs and were unable to operate at full capacity. The services were in high demand, Dr Beckerleg said, and more than 20 people were waiting for what "is a life-saving chance". Mohamed, who received the centre's services for 18 months and is now drugs free, said: "Without the Omari Centre, I would be dead." - --- MAP posted-by: Alex