arlos Kipkoech’s descent into drug addiction began in 2012 when he was just 18 years old and in Form Four. The death of his mother, who was the family’s sole breadwinner, plunged him into depression. “The death of my mother was a big blow. She left behind a three-year-old sibling. I was very stressed while writing my Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams at Mbita High School in Homa Bay,” Kipkoech recalls.
He started with alcohol, then progressed to miraa and bhang. By age 23, Kipkoech had moved on to hard drugs like heroin. “I then started doing hard drugs like heroin at age 23 and my life started to go downhill. Nothing but drugs was important to me. I was on a path to total destruction,” he says. “My addiction to heroin took priority over everything I did. I ‘died’ many times due to multiple overdoses.”
Kipkoech’s addiction caused him to drop out of Egerton University in his third year of a criminology degree course. “Had I kept off alcohol, my life would be different. Drug abuse caused me the worst pain imaginable,” he reflects.
In April 2020, at age 26, Kipkoech finally found help at Taraji House Rehabilitation Centre, thanks to the Nakuru-based Youth Bila Noma organization. He stayed at the center from April to July and was able to kick his heroin habit. The treatment was tough, with withdrawal symptoms including stomach upsets, sweating, a running nose, body weakness, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
Kipkoech notes that drug addicts often have serious eating disorders and mental health issues. When he entered rehab, he weighed just 40kg. After treatment, he gained 30kg. “I decided to seize the opportunity to put my life back on track. I was tired of hurting people,” he says. “I thank God and the people who loved me when I couldn’t love myself. I would probably be dead now. I’m alive because Youth Bila Noma gave me new hope in life. I don’t feel dead inside anymore. I’m grateful, happy, and free.”
The treatment transformed Kipkoech’s outlook. “I realized the dangers of drugs. We shared aspirations, drive and motivation. The friendships made all the difference,” he explains. “I’m now rebuilding relationships with my family. I am rebuilding trust. I will continue to work towards cleaning up my life. I want to educate young people about what worked for me and how to conquer drug addiction.”
Kipkoech dreams of returning to university to complete his criminology degree and use his experiences to help other youth avoid the pain of addiction. However, he notes that community attitudes towards addicts are often negative. “They view drug addicts as rejects with no purpose in life, not knowing that addicts are talented singers, footballers, artists and painters and that what they lack is support from society,” he observes.
Kipkoech’s story highlights the devastating impact of drug addiction on young lives, but also demonstrates that with proper support and treatment, recovery is possible.