The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Governor Kiraitu Murungi’s administration are partnering to treat and rehabilitate 40 addicts.
Meru Alcohol Control Board CEO Mwaki Arimi told the Star the partnership will cater for victims of drug and substance abuse.
“It will be free of charge and will be facilitated by the authority through NHIF,” Mwaki said.
Nacada Eastern regional coordinator Alex Njeru said they are conducting a baseline survey on alcohol and drug use in the county.
“We thank the Governor of Meru because Meru is the only county in the region where we have worked jointly to accredit rehabilitation centres and even launch a support group for victims of drug and substance abuse, which is now attracting attention for membership countrywide,” Njeru said.
They spoke on Wednesday during a joint training session for officers to be involved in the exercise towards combating the menace.
“This exercise will help ground officers with knowledge and expertise to carry out a survey and provide data for planning and critical decisions on development and implementation,” Mwaki said.
He cautioned Meru people against unscrupulous cartels collecting bribes from business owners pretending to be Meru government revenue officers.
“No monies are paid for any licenses in the form of cash to the county government. Business owners must report such individuals to the relevant authorities,” Mwaki said.
Terry Kimonye, the county director for economic planning, said county officers and researchers are involved in the exercise to vet the data for purposes of planning for the development of the county.
“We thank Governor Kiraitu Murungi for facilitating this kind of smooth coordination and close cooperation between agencies of our government in order to deliver the best for the people of Meru,” Kimonye said.
Edited by Henry Makori
