Chief Justice David Maraga has requested government and well wishers to rehabilitate youths who are affected by drug addictions.
Speaking in Lamu,Maraga urged Judges to release prisoners addicted to drugs and sent them to rehabilitation centers.
He was speaking during the launch of the Lamu Rehabilitation Centre, CJ Maraga said the Judiciary should stop regarding drug users as criminals and instead treat them like patients who need urgent medical attention.
He warned drug peddlers against selling drugs,he said that the government will take strict action against them.
“Those prisoners who are drug addicts should be released and sent to rehab centers for recovery,”he said.
The CJ warned that drug peddlers will not receive the same treatment but will be treated as the criminals that they are.
According to a report by the National Agency for the Campaign against Drug Abuse (Nacada), more than 5 million Kenyans are addicted to drugs countrywide.
Speaking in the same function, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Noordin Haji said his office is already in discussion with that of the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and the Inspector-General of Police to ensure proper approaches are taken to help those involved in minor crimes including drug use.
“We have agreed with the DCI and IG to ensure we give people a chance rehabilitation first rather than going directly to court for trial or judgment,”he said.
Lamu Woman Rep Ruweida Obbo proposed death penalties for those found guilty of drug peddling in the region.