2.9 lakh drug addicts have been treated in OPDs, claims Punjab government

As many as 2.93 lakh drug-addicts have been treated in Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) and 9,427 have been detoxified in Indoor Patient Departments (IPDs) in 24 drug de-addiction centers across the state till date, the state government has claimed.

As many as 2.93 lakh drug-addicts have been treated in Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) and 9,427 have been detoxified in Indoor Patient Departments (IPDs) in 24 drug de-addiction centers across the state till date, the state government has claimed.

The data was released during the second meeting of Punjab State Drug de-addiction and Rehabilitation Board chaired by Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday morning.

It has been brought to light that under the de-addiction program in central jails, 22, 669 people have undergone complete detoxification and 461 were admitted at the detoxification wards. Another 718 were in rehabilitation wards so that they could lead a normal life with self-respect and dignity.

Reviewing the progress of the drug de-addiction operations, Badal expressed satisfaction over the positive results due to the firm commitment of the health department in tandem with the jail department.

The CM has asked the chief secretary to ensure that the land for the construction of rehabilitation centers must be transferred to the health department;s name by different agencies/departments at the earliest, so that construction on 17 such centers is completed by February 2015.