Construction of rehabilitation center begins in Butula

Construction of a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts has kicked off at Butula Sub County.
According to Busia County Director of Alcoholic Drinks, Drugs and Substance Abuse Patrice Lumumba, the facility will be constructed in three phases.
“We have just handed over the site and the contractor has two weeks to mobilize his resources,” he said adding that the first phase will be completed by August 26.
Lumumba stated that the Project is in line with NACADA ACT of 2013 that all Sub counties should have a rehabilitation and treatment centre.
“Actually the project is long overdue because the Directorate was put in place in 2016,” he said adding that County Government did not allocate any funds in 2017.
He added that in 2018, there was a small allocation but it was later removed but the County received Sh6 million from World Bank in 2019.
The Director further said that the initiative will save the local residents from hustles of travelling long distances to Asumbi in Homabay and Mathare mental hospital in Nairobi.
“The facility will also serve the neighboring counties,’ he said adding that outreach programmes will also be offered at the facility to address gender based violence triggered by alcohol and drug abuse.
Lumumba disclosed that the facility will entail counselling, physiotherapy, treatment and recreational centre for both men and women.
The official expressed confidence that the facility will be constructed to the international standards because the Directorate is in consultation with NACADA over the same.
He handed over the construction site to Arsene Construction Agencies on Wednesday.
By Salome Alwanda