Murang’a: A Murang’a-based anti-drug abuse advocate has called for enhanced efforts in raising awareness about addiction and the rehabilitation of individuals striving to overcome addiction. Moses Kimenchu, an addiction counselor, emphasized the importance of sensitization during a Family Day event at the Sergeant Savior Mentorship and Counseling Centre (SMECC), highlighting the critical role of awareness in combating drug and substance abuse.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kimenchu stressed the necessity for various stakeholders to collaborate in educating communities about addiction, thereby offering hope and guidance to those seeking treatment and rehabilitation. “We need all stakeholders to come together and create awareness for more young people to know when and where to seek help from,” he stated, suggesting that churches, villages, and schools could serve as platforms for such initiatives.
Kimenchu encouraged individuals struggling with addiction to seek professional help, acknowledging the challeng
es of recovery but assuring them it would aid in restoring their lives. The Family Day event at SMECC served as a gathering for clients’ families and individuals who have successfully completed rehabilitation at the facility.
“We celebrate together because of the recovery and the progress those in rehabilitation centers are making,” Kimenchu noted, underscoring the significance of sharing success stories to inspire those currently facing addiction challenges. He also urged the government to support existing rehabilitation services and establish more centers across all counties.
Reverend Mwangi Chege, a recovering alcoholic, shared his personal journey with addiction, which began during his university years. Despite being ordained as a priest, Chege faced denial and stigma, which he identified as significant hurdles in his recovery journey. He acknowledged that accepting addiction as a potential genetic disease, influenced by his father’s struggle with alcoholism, was pivotal in his path to sobriety. Now an
addiction counselor, Reverend Chege aims to reduce the stigma surrounding alcoholism and leads prevention campaigns against drug abuse.
Similarly, Stanley Irungu, another beneficiary of SMECC’s rehabilitation services, recounted his battle with addiction starting in 2019 during his college years. Once an aspiring pilot, Irungu’s dreams were derailed by addiction, leading to drug-induced psychosis. He encouraged others facing similar struggles, sharing his success in completing an engineering degree post-rehabilitation. Irungu now dedicates his efforts to peer and addiction counseling, striving to guide fellow recovering addicts away from detrimental patterns.