In Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, panels on drug abuse make no progress
The district-level drug de-addiction and rehabilitation societies formed in July this year to help eradicate the drug menace in the state have not moved an inch on the ground, particularly in Jalandhar and Nawanshahr districts.
The district-level drug de-addiction and rehabilitation societies formed in July this year to help eradicate the drug menace in the state have not moved an inch on the ground, particularly in Jalandhar and Nawanshahr districts.
These societies were formed after the Punjab State Board for Drug De-addiction and Rehabilitation came into existence on the directions of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal during his month-long campaign against drug abuse in July.
Since then, not even a single meeting of their members has been held in Jalandhar and Nawanshahr districts to do brainstorming on preparing programmes, seminars, exhibitions training schedules, rallies or others work for drug addicts in these districts.
The societies have been authorised to make arrangements, such as detoxification and rehabilitation of drug addicts at de-addiction centres, in respective districts.
The societies have to hold a meeting every three months. Thy have to make programmes for arranging vocational training, arranging bank loans etc for drug addicts so that they can come out vicious circle of drug menace.
They have also been given the responsibility to engage the community, NGOs, members of educational institutions, business houses to spread awareness on drug abuse in the society.
Besides, the society members have to supervise the working of drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres into the district.
The society members comprise deputy commissioner as its chairman, senior superintendent of police/police commissioner, civil surgeon, deputy medical commissioner as its member secretary or convener, district social security officer, a psychiatrist, 10 nominees from NGOs entrusted with the task of drug de-addiction and rehabilitation and donors who contribute for the cause.
Jalandhar deputy medical commissioner (DMC) Dr Harpal Kaur said as soon as the 50-bedded drug de-addiction centre at the civil hospital in February next year completes, the society will hold its meeting.
She further said the society has already appointed staff, staff nurses, pharmacist counsellor wards and attendants for the centre in Jalandhar.
Nawanshahr deputy medical commissioner Dr Kulwaran Singh said the society members will hold the meeting after appointing staff.
“We recently appointed representatives of NGOs and eight members from the district health society for drug de-addiction and rehabilitation societies,” he said.
Presently, the de-addiction centres are being run from the building of ESI hospital in Jalandhar and at Balachaur of Nawanshahr district.
