Pubdate: Sat, 03 Apr 2004
Source: East African Standard, The (Kenya)
Copyright: 2004 The East African Standard
Contact:  http://www.eastandard.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1743
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

CENTRE TO REHABILITATE JUVENILE DRUG ADDICTS

Nairobi

The Government will establish rehabilitation centres for young drug 
addicts, a Minister of State said yesterday.

Mrs Linah Kilimo said the centres will cover treatment, rehabilitation, 
social reintegration and management of abstinence.

She said Kenya was progressively becoming an active player in the 
international drugs trade as a key transit route for drugs destined for 
Europe, United States and the far East.

Kilimo said that the Government should urgently put in place measures to 
prevent further proliferation of drugs into the country.

"Kenya faces a major challenge of drug and substance abuse that calls for 
urgent mitigating measures to be put in place in view of its heavy toll on 
the health, productivity of the individual, the immediate family, the 
community and the whole nation," said Kilimo.

The minister was speaking during the official launch of three videos, 
Diabetes: The silent killer, Smoking: Romancing with death and Youth and 
drugs in the Ace Life Skills Series at a Nairobi hotel.

The documentaries specifically target the youth and offers guidance on 
social and peer pressure that may lead to drug addiction.

"Poor dietary practices have become a leading cause of diseases such as 
diabetes, cancer and heart diseases," she said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom