The Ministry of Health is implementing Mental Health Policy 2015-2030 on management and treatment of addicts as well as training for healthcare workers.
The policy will focus on substance use management, development and dissemination of information on substance use and disorder treatment protocols.
It also has other elements like training of healthcare workers, service providers, Non-Governmental Organizations, community based organizations and the private sector on the prevention of substance use.
Speaking during COVID-19 daily updates Health Chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman said during this period people using drugs are at a higher risk of contracting the disease due to behaviours, sharing of paraphernalia as well as poor hygiene.
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He cited a study by conducted by NACADA on the status of Drugs and Substance Abuse in Kenya, in 2017 that indicated, “the prevalence of the current usage of alcohol among those aged between 15 to 65 years, stands at 12.2%, for tobacco at 8.3%, Khat 4.1%, while for bhang/Marijuana, is 1%.”
Adding that “the prevalence of heroin use disorder is less than 1%, but the health social impact is as high at 70%. The current data indicate that the prevalence of multiple drugs of abuse is 6%.”
Government is working on ensuring that there is continued access to care for persons who use drugs, while also ensuring that necessary health and safety precautionary measures are adhered to.
“Capacity building on infection prevention, control, and sensitization on COVID-19, to relevant agencies that provide treatment and rehabilitation services is also going to be enhanced,” said Aman.
Adding that, “There is regular outpatient, community treatment and rehabilitation for persons who use drugs.”
Details of the policy can be found on the Ministry’s website.
The CAS encouraged parents and caregivers to educate their children about harmful impact of alcohol and drug use especially during this period of COVID-19.
This came as Dr Aman announced that 149 more COVID-19 cases tested positive in the last 24 hours bringing the country’s total tally to 5533.
Five more patients succumbed to the virus which brings the total number of fatalities to 138.
He appealed to Kenyans to continue observing the containment measures in order to limit the spread of the virus.
