Effectiveness of drug rehabilitation programs on behavior modification of drug addicts in Nairobi County
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Date
2013
Authors
Nzomo, Regina Nduku
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
According to the World Drug Report (2007), approximately 200 million people, about 5% of
the world's population aged between 15 and 64 years have either been forced" or voluntarily
sought help of rehabilitation centers for behavior modification. These rehabilitation centers
over years have admitted drug addicts into their rehabilitation programs meant to bring about
behavior change among the rehabilitees. However, little is known about the effectiveness of
the programs offered. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of drug
rehabilitation programs on behavior modification of drug addicts in rehabilitation centers in
Nairobi County and establish the existing rehabilitation programs put in place to help the
drug addicts. The study design was cross sectional as methods of data collection. The study
population was the staff and the rehabilitees of the purposively sampled ten (10)
rehabilitation centers in Nairobi County. Questionnaires were used as tools for collecting
data, one for the staff and questionnaire guided interview for clients. The study mainly found
out that: Drug users' evaluation in terms of assessment emerges was the key program offered
by rehabilitation centers in Nairobi County; staff members in rehabilitation centers in Nairobi
County were sufficiently trained, with a good number of them holding degrees, diplomas and
certificate from reputable institutions. They also posses proficiency in drug management and
rehabilitation tasks; rrehabilitation centers in Nairobi County carried out continuing/after care
services to their clients using psychological interventions, and personal empowerment of the
rehabilitees; financl~1 impediments like lack of sufficient staff, medication and facilities as
well as inconsistent follow ups are the major challenges facing rehabilitation centers in
Nairobi County; these challenges can only be curbed by sufficient funding of these
institutions to enable employment of adequate staff and acquisition of better infrastructure to
enable enhanced individual attention to rehabilitees. The study recommended that:
rehabilitation centers management should foster establishment and implementation of a
comprehensive drug rehabilitation schedule that caters to the individual needs ofa rehabilitee
and at the same time manages rehab time to avoid boredom among the patients; rehabilitation
centers staff should gain insights on various needs of the rehabilitees to avoid unnecessary
strife in the rehabs. They should also learn to handle the rehabilitees with professionalism to
enable a successful rehabilitation process; rehabilitees in the rehabilitation program should
also learn a number of personal management tips to help them adequately plan for and make
the most out of the period they are in the rehab center; The Ministry of Special Programs
should look into various problems encountered by staff and clients in rehabilitation centers.
The ministry should then formulate policies on the funding and staffing of these centers to
facilitate a sound drug rehabilitation process
Description
Department of Psychology, 92p. 2013