'Udta Punjab' to be screened at AIIMs for doctors

Authorities at National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS are mulling screening Hindi film 'Udta Punjab' on the hospital campus to make the resident doctors aware of the different aspects of drug abuse and addiction.
"The downward spiral of drug epidemic in the society has been shown. Also, the movie depicts the health issues that arise due to drug use along with overdose and toxicity.
"The movie portrays how drug dependence can lead to criminal activities and the nexus between the criminal elements and pharmaceutical industry. It shows how powerfully addictive these drugs are that even if forcibly injected one might get addicted to them as was in the case of Alia Bhatt in the movie. So almost all possible aspects have been captured in the movie," said a senior doctor.

The objective, the doctor said, is to make the resident doctors aware of all the aspects of substance use which can help them in treating a patient.
"Knowing the issues related to substance abuse well will help them understand and treat a patient in a better way. We receive thousands of cases of drug abuse every year with majority of them being opioid dependent.
"Dealing with such patients requires a fair degree of clinical skills and patience and perseverance," the doctor added.

It was recently decided that the AIIMS, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, will conduct a survey to compile national and state-level estimates of people involved in drug abuse.

The two year-long survey will map the presence of services and interventions for drug dependent individuals and identify the gaps in service delivery.
The last such survey was conducted in 2001 and the data were published in 2004.