ANTI-DRUG CENTRE FACES CLOSURE

British funding for Malindi's heroin users' rehabilitation centre ends

A rehabilitation centre for drug addicts might be closed for lack of funding.

Local and international donors have delayed money for Omar Centre in
Malindi which was started three years ago to rehabilitate heroin users.

The project was launched under a three-year funding from the UK's Community
Fund, the centre chairman, Mr Shee Abdallah, said.

This has come to an end and the centre has applied for new funding which
has not been forthcoming.

Locally, the centre has sought support from the Kenya National Aids Council.

This is because experts at the centre are able to reach drug users who are
at high risk of contracting Aids.

Mr Abdallah said the centre was started due to the prevalence of heroin
addiction among the youth and adults in Shella, Watamu and Maweni.

Since its launch at Msabaha, it has helped rehabilitate 150 men and women
abusers of the drug.

Mr Abdalla said the centre was developed in partnership with the Bristol
Drugs Project, a British NGO, and has been accommodating a maximum of 20
people at any one time.

Its construction was funded by the British High Commission in Kenya to the
tune of Sh2.2 million under the Department for International Development's
Small Grants Scheme. It also received Sh7 million from the National Lottery
Charities Board of the United Kingdom.

Ms Maggie Telfer, the director of Bristol Drugs Project, said the centre's
six-month free detoxification and rehabilitation programme was unique in
Africa.

She said the committee managing the centre was keen to share its experience
with others interested in reducing heroin use, adding that it was already
collaborating with groups in Lamu, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.

Omar Centre project leader Susan Beckerleg said: "We face an uncertain
future as we await the outcome of grant applications in Kenya and the UK.
We are asking the Community Fund to continue their assistance."

She said the centre was now struggling to provide service, adding that they
had reduced costs and were unable to operate at full capacity.

The services were in high demand, Dr Beckerleg said, and more than 20
people were waiting for what "is a life-saving chance".

Mohamed, who received the centre's services for 18 months and is now drugs
free, said: "Without the Omari Centre, I would be dead."