OLWENGO: Harm reduction step forward in Kenya's drug policy
Recently, the Woman Representative of Nairobi County, Hon Esther Passaris, had a key consultative meeting with parliamentarians to deliberate on her draft Harm Reduction Bill, 2024.
This is a critical turn for drug policy in Kenya. I have been at the forefront of the struggle for harm reduction strategies all these past years.
Therefore, I welcome this move with optimism that the necessary support to see the bill through Parliament will be mustered.
Harm reduction is a public health approach that seeks to reduce the negative consequences of drug use—not to get people to stop using drugs.
This includes realistic policies and actions that include needle exchange programmes, supervised consumption facilities, and access to treatment for addiction, among other things, to improve and protect public health.
Remarks appropriately put by Nacada Chief Executive Officer Anthony Omerikwa, in effect, Harm reduction involves measures taken in a bid to reduce the harmful effects of drug use on individual and community levels. This is not some theory; it has been shown to work in many countries.
There is a lot to be gained from harm reduction strategies in Kenya.