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.