Government Warns Synthetic Drug Cartels as Mombasa Pledges for Free Rehab Care

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Interior principal secretary Dr Raymond Omollo has warned drug trafficking cartels against peddling synthetic drugs saying the government has heightened surveillance and intelligence to curb the new threat.

Speaking during the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Friday in Mombasa County, the PS said synthetic drugs posed a greater health risk to users and were fueling insecurity in communities.

“The government has intensified surveillance and enhanced shared intelligence at our borders to curb drug trafficking crimes,” he said.

The security boss said the State had crafted innovative measures to deal with the emerging drugs and announced plans to establish rehabilitation centres in every county. He noted that 11 counties have already complied.

“The challenge before us requires a whole-of-government approach. We urge schools and churches to strengthen prevention. I also call on counties to partner with NACADA to build rehabilitation programmes.”

He attributed some street protests to drug abuse, saying many young people lose their lives unintentionally.

NACADA Board chair Stephen Mairori said synthetic drugs remained the biggest challenge in the war against substance abuse.

National Government officials at the function in Miritini (Photo By Mwakwaya Raymond)

According to him the agency is using drama and poetry in schools for prevention, citing Omar Mohamed of Kongowea Primary, Grade 10, who won for the best poem on drug abuse.

NACADA chief executive officer Dr Antony Omerikwa said drug abuse was threatening national security, families and the economy.

“It’s a world problem. It is prudent to come up with innovative ways to counter it,” he said.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said the county would pay medical premiums for drug addicts seeking rehabilitation, especially injecting users, through SHA.

“Out of 12,852 respondents in the latest school survey in Mombasa, 25 per cent of school-going children use drugs,” he said.

The governor blamed _miraa_ and _muguka_ for driving hard drug use and announced a phase-two crackdown on muguka sellers.

Youths following the proceedings.(Photo By Mwakwaya Raymond)

Jomvu MP Badi Twalib called for heightened action saying the Miritini area had become a haven for addicts.

UNODC representative Boniface Wilunda, reading a message from Ambassador Monica Juma, said the synthetic drug market was expanding and requires stronger intelligence.