BY DAVID CHIKOKO
The Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) has urged NGOs, private institutions and individuals in Arusha to support efforts to combat drug abuse among young people, warning that addiction remains a serious threat to health, productivity and the future of the youth.
DCEA made the call during the handover of beds and mattresses to sober houses in Arusha, as part of efforts to improve rehabilitation services for people recovering from drug addiction.
Speaking during the event, DCEA Welfare and Education Officer for the Northern Zone, Ms Sarah Ndaba, said the authority had decided to support the centres after inspections revealed a serious shortage of beds and mattresses, a situation she said affected the recovery process.
She said drug addiction should be treated as a health and social problem, adding that recovering addicts needed support, care and acceptance rather than stigma.
The support, which included 80 beds and 160 mattresses worth more than Sh 43 million, was provided by DCEA in collaboration with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF).
Arusha District Commissioner (DC), Mr Joseph Mkude, who handed over the items on behalf of Arusha Regional Commissioner (RC), CPA Amos Makalla, commended the two pension funds for backing the government’s anti-drug campaign and urged other stakeholders to follow their example.
He said the fight against drug abuse could not be left to the government alone, noting that sober houses needed better facilities to help addicts recover and return to productive lives.
Mr Mkude called on NGOs, private companies, faith-based organisations and individuals to support DCEA and other actors in strengthening treatment programmes, rehabilitation and reintegration services for recovering addicts.
According to officials, Arusha region has 19 sober houses located in Arusha City, Arumeru, Karatu, Monduli and Longido, serving over 500 recovering addicts, including 407 men and 98 women.
