Current Projects

IDU drop-in centres

IDU(injecting drug users) SAPTA PROJECT.

There are 2 drop-in centres for the Path finder IDU Project. The sites are at Kangemi/Kawangware near Mau Mau village in the middle of Kawangware and Kangemi. The site is strategically placed in order to serve the communities from both places. The Kimathi site is in Eastland and it’s strategically placed to serve the Eastland’s residence and its environs like Carlifonia, Majengo, Mathare.

The purpose of the project is to introduce HIV/AIDS risk reduction services among the Injecting drug users in these informal settlements.

THE PROJECT OVERVIEW:

PREVENTION PROGRAM.

 SCHOOL ACTIVITIES –Pupils in schools are taken through 3 sessions in brief intervention to equip them on knowledge on effects of drugs, the commonly abused drugs and skills they can use to avoid drugs.

CHURCH ACTIVITIES- SAPTA will meet different groups in churches and take them through 3 sessions in brief intervention to equip them on knowledge on effects of drugs, the commonly abused drugs and skills they can use to avoid drugs.

YOUTH ACTIVITES- SAPTA will work closely with youth groups in the communities and also do brief intervention.

They also sensitize the community through public awareness activities like soccer events, participative educative theater and moonlight VCT services.

Through outreach activities SAPTA is able to reach community members through one on one counseling, reach youths in their hanging joins like the video dens, IDU sites and give information on effects of drugs and alcohol and also SAPTA brochures and fliers.

Sensitization workshops for community resource persons to help in referral of clients and later ownership of the program.

ADDICTION TREATMENT.

The focus is on injecting drug users who come to the centre. They are given opportunities to shower, relax and enroll into the out-patient program.

There is an addiction counselor at both sites whereby clients are screened by the counselors, assessed and placed into the out-patient program.

There are taken through psycho-education sessions, individual sessions, group counseling AA and NA programs (alcoholic anonymous and narcotic anonymous)

For clients who successfully complete the program they are placed in the recovery school and later on given skills on income generating activities to help them in sustaining their recovery, however the addiction counselor will refer for in-patient services for severe cases for further assistant.

SAPTA will also distribute IEC materials to the communities in the 2 drop-in centres. 

HIV/TESTING AND COUNSELING.

There are 2 nurses each at the drop- in centre.

They do HIV/TESTING to clients who are willing to know their status and the general community and refer appropriately.

The nurses also give first aid to clients who need medical attention, dress wounds for IDU clients and refer appropriately as need arises. 

Overall treatment

Outpatient Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs

Our outpatient drug and alcohol treatment programs offer more support and guidance than occasional or once a week rehab counseling. Typically, treatment for alcoholism or drug addiction consists of multiple day or evening sessions throughout the week; including access to 12 step programs and community support groups.

For those who live locally and need therapeutic support for their on-going recovery but do not need a residential treatment centre, SAPTA offers Intensive Outpatient Program. Our IOP is made up of holistic and evidence based therapeutic techniques coupled with a 12-step approach to recovery.

We provide

• Group therapy,

•  Life skills,

•  Psychiatry,

•  Psycho education
•   Relaxation techniques

•  Family and individual counselling up to five days per week. 

The staff at SAPTA are fully devoted to ridding one from addiction, substance abuse, drug or alcohol dependency, and relapse. Our expert team is committed to helping develop a customized program to ensure your recovery experience is life-changing. 

library services

Learning centre and library services

SAPTA library is the only specialized addictions resource centre in the East African region

The Centre is a non-lending Library that promotes SAPTA programs of prevention and treatment of addictions though training, advocacy, and counseling

It has a variety of comprehensive and updated information material on alcohol and other drugs use, abuse and dependence and compiles direct evidence-based connection between substance use and addictive behaviors and the infection and development of HIV/AIDS

The Library provides equal opportunities to all its users: students, trainers, researchers and others.

Outpatient Treatment

Initial screening of people who sought outpatient treatment revealed 80 percent (38 out of 47 members) were in their late stage of addiction. This meant that there were limited chances of them regaining their sobriety without attending some kind of treatment program. Interviews conducted also showed that substance dependency had adverse socio-economic and medical effects on both themselves and their families. The most pronounced among these was domestic violence including physical, sexual assaults and withdrawal of economic support to the family members. A number of these individuals were involved in risky sexual behaviors including having multiple sexual partners and having intercourse without any form of protection against sexually transmitted infection.

Addiction Prevention

Addiction Prevention Workshops and Programs

Brain Development, Mood Altering Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS
These workshops inspire and train a group of young people to hold various leadership positions in SAPTAs extended network of volunteers who create awareness  about the health and social hazards associated with teenage substance abuse

EAP Employers

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are employee benefit programs offered by many employers, typically in conjunction with a health insurance plan. EAPs are intended to help employees deal with personal problems that might adversely impact their work performance, health, and well-being. EAPs generally include assessment, short-term counseling and referral services for employees and their household members.  In Africa the move to corporate/employer provided EAP services is new.  With the concept now being discussed among the various insurance providers there seems to be a movement toward EAP programming.  SAPTA currently is contracted with one insurance provider, working with seven corporations to provide both Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. 

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Sexual Risk Reduction Training

AMFAR: Men who have Sex with Men (MSM)

MSM (men who have sex with men) is one of the key areas SAPTA has been able to source funding for HIV/AIDS alcohol/drugs risk reduction, funded by the amfAR organization. SAPTA activities with MSM focus on the coastal region of Kenya. So far, SAPTA has been able to run training workshops for MSM HIV/AIDS peer educators in Mombasa (Kenya's second largest city), Mombasa South Coast Ukunda and Lamu island along the Kenyan Coast, through collaborating with International Centre of Research and Health (ICRH). The training workshops focused on Alcohol/Drug/HIV/AIDS risk reduction modification among MSMs.

Liverpool VCT project

 A number of observational studies have shown that alcohol use increases the risk for HIV. However, there is a paucity of programs providing alcohol risk reduction in the context of HIV prevention and care. This study is following up on a study by Population Council, Liverpool VCT and SAPTA in Kenya which showed that it is feasible to screen VCT clients for alcohol abuse and provide interventions for those found to be abusers.

The study will deliver a comprehensive package of alcohol risk assessment and risk reduction integrated into the following HTC service delivery models: static VCT, Home-based VCT, moonlight HTC and PITC in primary health care settings. The study will also integrate risk reduction counseling into PTC and HIV Care and Treatment counseling to provide ongoing support to clients identified during HTC with alcohol use problems. The impact of these interventions on HIV risk behavior.