- Nairobi Woman Representative underscored the need for harm reduction services across all health facilities in the country.
- She said this will effectively address issues related to drug overdose and high HIV and Hepatitis C prevalence among others.
Nacada supports Harm Reduction Bill, 2024
Image: HANDOUT
The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse has committed to supporting comprehensive and balanced drug demand reduction efforts aimed at minimizing the adverse public health and social consequences of drug abuse in the country.
Nairobi County Woman Representative Esther Passaris convened a consultative meeting on the draft Harm Reduction Bill, 2024.
Nacada chief executive officer Anthony Omerikwa said the concept of harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use.
"Harm reduction is an internationally recognised program in the drug demand reduction spectrum. The proposed measures are in the realization that drug dependence is a complex, multifactorial health disorder characterized by a chronic and relapsing nature. Yet, can be prevented and treated," he said.
"As such, harm reduction is part of the comprehensive and balanced drug demand reduction strategy, that is anchored on research and science. It should not be viewed as a stand-alone program."
Omerikwa added that the country needs to strengthen its capacity to respond to all drug-related issues through prevention, rehabilitation, and enforcement strategies and, increased funding.
“As the national organ charged with coordination of the country’s drug control strategy, we have incorporated harm reduction interventions to the 2024 Draft National Policy on Alcohol and Drug Abuse," he said.
"Additionally, the Authority has been in support of Medically Assisted Therapy (MAT) since 2014. We are currently implementing a MAT clinic at our MiritiniTreatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Mombasa."
Passaris underscored the need for harm reduction services across all health facilities in the country.
She said this will effectively address issues related to drug overdose and high HIV and Hepatitis C prevalence among others.
"The current cost and availability of rehab services are major barriers. The Harm Reduction Bill is essential for making services more affordable and accessible to those in need," she said.
"In Portugal, there was a high rate of HIV and Hepatitis due to the people sharing needles for the drugs. They started by funding needles to the drug users."
Omerikwa revealed that Nacada also coordinates the Alternative to Incarceration program in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) as one of the harm reduction strategies adopted by the Authority.
"The program ensures that persons who abuse drugs and come into contact with the criminal justice system access necessary support including Medically Assisted Therapy which is the use of medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies for the treatment of substance use disorder," he added.