Dan: Drug and Substance use (Heroine)

"Why am I here?"

Hello. Have you ever called yourself to a meeting and asked yourself questions like, "Why am I here? What is my Purpose? Did I choose the right career?" These are some of the questions that run through Dan's mind as he reflects on his life. Dan is 20 years old; he is a second-year drop-out. He has been struggling with heroin for years. On several occasions, he has tried to stop, but when he does, he experiences withdrawal symptoms, which scares him to the point he feels he is going to die.

Recreational drugs for their euphoric effects

Heroine is an opioid most commonly used as a recreational drug for its euphoric effects. However, it is used medically in several countries to relieve pain or in opioid replacement therapy. Dan had become dependent on the drug, meaning it was tough for him to stop using it, and it was now interfering with his day-to-day life. How did Dan end up a Heroin addict? He mentioned he lives in Nairobi while the rest of his family is up the country. They have already given up on him due to this addiction. He started using it just for fun and did not know it would cause him much anguish.

The Despair

Due to the Heroin addiction, Dan failed to complete school, he has no job, he is homeless and a part-time "thief" who steals so that he can go sell the stolen items to be able to scrape up enough money to enable him to get the next fix that would keep him on a "high" for about five to six hours. The phone he used to reach out to 1190 was stolen, so he decided to call this number because it is a free toll. He was hoping that as 1190 service providers, we would help him by taking him to a rehabilitation centre, as friends advised him to call us for support.

Light at the end of the tunnel

Considering the work that 1190 does, which includes but is not limited to sharing information on drugs and substance use, we managed to give a comprehensive report to the client about heroin. We also encouraged him to go to Kenyatta National Referral hospital so that he can be screened to ascertain the heroin content in his body and then be linked to the nearest rehabilitation centre for further support.