Factors Hindering Treatment Of Drug Abusers In Selected Drug Treatment And Rehabilitation Centers In Nairobi Province, Kenya

ABSTRACT

The Government of Kenya and NGOs have put a lot of effort in treatment of drug abuse and dependence yet there is an increase in demand for psychoactive drugs in the country. The study was carried out to investigate factors hindering treatment of drug abusers in drug rehabilitation centers in Nairobi province. Referred literature was reviewed on factors hindering treatment of drug abusers in Kenya and other parts of the world. Quantitative research approach was used where survey research design was employed. The study targeted drug rehabilitation centers in Nairobi Province from which seven (7) rehabilitation centers were sample. Purposive and simple random sampling procedures were used to arrive at the sample size. Data was collected using a questionnaire designed for the treatment offering personnel in the centers. Data was analyzed and presented using frequency table and percentages. The data analyzed revealed that some of the factors hindering treatment of drug abusers included; lack of qualified treatment offering personnel, available of psychoactive drugs in the society, lack of community participation in the treatment services and that problems experienced were not similar in all the centers among others. The study recommended that more assistance from the relevant Government Ministry in terms of monetary services required to boost the activities of the rehabilitation centers. There is an urgent need for carrying out a research to assess the extent to which the current treatment modalities in drug rehabilitation centers are impacting on drug abusers.