Punjab may set up 22 rehab centres for drug addicts

Badal said that elaborate arrangements had already been made by the state govt in various community health centres

The Punjab Government plans to initiate a rehabilitation programme for ensuring dignified life for drug addicts in the State by setting up 22 rehabilitation centres, one in each district across the state.

A decision to this effect was taken by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal while presiding over a meeting to review the arrangements under the state's drug de-addiction programme in the districts of Sri Mukatsar Sahib and Bathinda, at Badal village of the Muktsar district last evening.

Badal said that elaborate arrangements had already been made by the state government in various community health centres for the "detoxification treatment under the guidance of expert doctors and para-medical staff to ensure an effective treatment for every drug addict at his nearest place."

He also reviewed the functioning of these centres being run at civil hospital Badal and Malaut, besides at various other community health centres where this service was being rendered.

The Chief Minister also directed the Health Department Officers to remove various bottleneck hindering the smooth treatment facilities.

He also mentioned that state government was providing free medicine for the treatment of drug addicts besides other facilities for the indoor patients free of cost in the hospitals.

Badal said that at this juncture effective treatment to the drug addicts is on priority agenda of the government.

He asked the health department to involve the Non-Government Organisations and general public in this mission and treat every drug addict in a sympathetic manner besides providing them proper counselling.