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Heroin addiction is a growing
problem in towns on the Kenya Coast.
A group of concerned local volunteers has formed an
organisation to tackle the problem and various external agencies are providing technical
and financial support. |
In this article Susan Beckerleg
reports on activities over the last four years and wonders if this is a good example of
partnership in achieving social development.
Comments by email to - susan.beckerleg@lshtm.ac.uk |
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THE OMARI PROJECT
WATAMU, KENYA
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Since the mid 1980s heroin has been easily available in the towns of the Kenya Coast.
The drug is brought from South Asia by air and by sea. A growing number of mainly young
people, particularly those working in the tourist industry, have become addicted to the
drug.
As a response to the problem of heroin use in Watamu and other Kenyan coastal towns,
The Omari Project (TOP) was established in 1995. It is managed by a committee of elected
local volunteers. TOP aims to test and adapt approaches to the rehabilitation of heroin
users which have met with success elsewhere.
In coastal Kenya TOP is the only established counselling and rehabilitation service.
The initiative has strong local support from a concerned community alarmed by the death,
imprisonment and destroyed lives of young people in their midst. In Watamu alone, out of a
heroin-user population of about 70, at least nine users have died since 1993.
Middlesex University, UK has provided an advisory role concerning the development of
the project. In 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998 the British Council in Nairobi supported this
local initiative. The development of the project's activities started in 1995 with an
intensive counselling and training programme which was carried out by Maggie Telfer,
director of the Bristol Drugs Project, UK with Susan Beckerleg of Middlesex University and
other TOP members.
The counselling approach of the Bristol Drugs Project proved popular with heroin users
in the very different setting of Watamu. Considerable interest in the project was shown by
heroin users and key community members living in nearby Malindi. During the third British
Council sponsored training programme in 1997 the Fatah Women's Group of Malindi received
training and now play an active role in the Project.
By 1998, 54 volunteers drawn from the local community in Watamu and Malindi, had
completed training and were awarded certificates issued by the British Council. Active
volunteers have continued counselling, rehabilitation and prevention work. They are Muslim
and Christian and include school teachers, health workers, shop keepers and tourist boat
operators.
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COUNSELLING AND DETOXIFICATION SERVICES
In partnership with a local doctor TOP has developed expertise in the management of
withdrawal from heroin. The doctor has reduced his fees and modified his treatment regime.
Drugs, such as Methadone and Lophexidine Hydrochloride, used in Europe to aid withdrawal,
are not available in Kenya. Originally, Largactil was administered for three days along
with Benzodiazepines (Valium) to aid sleep and reduce anxiety. Many users complained that
Largactil injections were too strong and produced unpleasant side-effects. Since then the
use of Largactil coupled with Valium has been varied, with other options now used,
including Thioridazine (Melleril) which is less sedating and has fewer side effects.
Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-diarrhoea preparations are used as well, or in lieu
of, the 'major' tranquillisers.
In Europe, besides conventional pharmaceutical drugs, a range of 'alternative'
therapies are used to treat drug users. For example acupuncture is very popular. TOP has
started to draw on the expertise of local therapeutic systems. Several local healers have
been approached and initial discussions held about the use of Swahili and Giriama
traditions of massage and of herbal medicine in detoxification and pain management.
Project assessments based on reports from users in Mombasa and Malindi indicate that
injecting of heroin is on the increase. This use provides an additional route for the
spread of HIV infection in an area where rates of heterosexual transmission are high.
Users in Watamu, however, appear not to have made the switch from inhaling to injecting.
This may be largely due to the educational and advice work of TOP.
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With funding from the UNDCP, a part-time Youth Drugs Prevention Worker was appointed in
early 1998 for the period of one year. He developed a programme of drugs education in
collaboration with TOP volunteers who had already initiated work in schools within the
District. This programme builds on the early voluntary efforts and extends the work into
schools, colleges, professional associations and youth clubs along the Coast.
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THE WORK PLACEMENT PROGRAMME
In 1998 a UNDCP funded Work Placement Officer started work in assisting heroin users in
finding gainful employment and achieving a drug free lifestyle. Many local business people
support the aims of TOP. They have demonstrated their commitment by paying for the
treatment of individual heroin users. Some have expressed willingness to give work
experience to former users. The project builds on this good will. The Work Placement
Officer aims to sensitise large and small businesses and other potential employers to the
work of TOP.
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DEVELOPMENT OF THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMME
The 1994 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act makes provision for
the establishment of rehabilitation centres, but none has been set up. Meanwhile TOP is
leading the way in tackling problems arising from the use of a drug which is not
controlled by cultural norms, and appears to be the only development of its kind in Kenya.
Therefore the existing TOP initiatives and the planned residential rehabilitation centre
are attracting national interest. The residential centre will be the only resource
offering free treatment in the entire country.
The Omari Project decided to open a residential rehabilitation centre in a rural
location, away from the usual environment of heroin users. The Project has acquired a plot
of land located in a peaceful, rural setting which will be an ideal location for the
residential centre.
Over the past two years discussions had been held with heroin users and TOP volunteers
regarding the most appropriate regime for a residential centre. Within this setting, drug
users would be temporarily removed from the pressures of making money through tourism, of
the drugs trade and of fellow users who may not support the efforts of one of their group
to change. Within the residential setting rehabilitating users will be able to regain
their health and to develop strategies for living a drug free life.
The British High Commission in Nairobi, under the DFID Small Grants Scheme, has awarded
the Omari Project KSH 2 million (£20,000) for the construction of the residential centre,
which should be completed by June-July 1999. The residential centre will comprise two
blocks of rooms, toilets, showers, kitchen and dining/meeting area. The centres
buildings are designed to accommodate 20 residents and five workers in a simple style that
is in keeping with the local surroundings.
About KSH 7 million (£73,000) running costs, over three years, have been granted by
the UK National Lottery Charities Board. This grant will be managed by the Bristol Drugs
Project, the UK partners of the Omari Project. The money is to be spent on salaries, food,
medicines and administrative costs.
A provisional regime for the residential centre has been drawn up taking into account
the views of users, the advice and experience of the Bristol Drugs Project and the ideas
of TOP. Residents will be offered advice, information, counselling, support in withdrawal,
and rehabilitation including work placements. New arrivals will be assigned a 'buddy' who
will offer support and explain how the centre works. During the first two weeks in the
centre users will not allowed any visitors. They will go into the nearest village under
staff supervision. Rehabilitation will be effected through individual and group
counselling sessions. Physical exercise through walking, swimming and football will be
encouraged.
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Comments by email to - susan.beckerleg@lshtm.ac.uk
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