Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, the wife of the Deputy President, has ushered 65 reformed addicts into a new phase of life.
Among them are seven women who participated in the program at Eden House and Reach Out Rehabilitation Centers in Mombasa County.
Pastor Dorcas initiated the identification process for these addicts during her visit to drug dens in Shimamzi, Mombasa.
Following this, a medical camp was organized at the Railways Dispensary and Miritini in December last year to identify addicts in need of rehabilitation.
Many of the addicts had lost hope of breaking free from the grip of drug abuse, with some facing estrangement from loved ones and others losing their jobs.
The transformation witnessed in these men and women, who had battled addiction for years, brought immense joy to Pastor Dorcas, who emphasized the importance of saving the lives of young people despite any differences.
She stressed the need for a multi-sectoral approach to combat drug and substance abuse in the Coast region and urged religious leaders to eliminate stigma towards those living with HIV/AIDS.
Pastor Dorcas called upon clerics to utilize their pulpits to instill hope and provide guidance to boys and men seeking help.
Reflecting on her upbringing in Kiandutu slums, Pastor Dorcas underscored her commitment to aiding drug addicts in their recovery journey, expressing a vision for a better future for the boy child.
Medical Services PS Harry Kimtai commended Pastor Dorcas’ efforts and pledged support for training some reformed men as trainers by the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC).
Kisauni Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner Jamleck Mbuba assured collaboration between chiefs and religious leaders to combat drug and substance abuse.
Bishop Joseph Maisha of Ushindi Baptist Church and Sheikh Rashid Swaleh emphasized the importance of collective action in the fight against alcohol, drugs, and substance abuse.
Among the reformed addicts is Evelyn Watere, who, along with her husband, battled heroin addiction for over two decades.
Rescued during Pastor Dorcas’ visit to the Shimanzi drug den, Watere expressed gratitude for her transformation. Similarly, Boniface Ndirangu, a reformed addict and counselor by profession, intends to return to his job.
In a significant outreach effort, 2000 religious leaders from six counties were sensitized on HIV prevention and treatment, as well as strategies to address drug, alcohol, and substance abuse among boys and men.
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