Counting corona blessings: Over 5 L drug addicts treated, 86 k new patients seek help

In a positive fallout of the coronavirus-led lockdown, Punjab has achieved a major success" against the malady of drug abuse with over 86,000 addicts registering themselves for treatment amid the nearly total curb on narcotics peddling, a senior official said on Monday.

A total of 86,371 new patients registered themselves for treatment at 198 Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics, including private ones across the state, he said, adding a total of 5,00,552 patients have been treated in OOAT clinics and de-addiction centres till May 6, 2020, he said