Rehabilitation of addicts into mainstream society should be key focus: Shimla DC

During the meeting, operators of de-addiction centres raised various issues and demands before the administration

Shimla deputy commissioner (DC) Anupam Kashyap on Tuesday held a meeting with operators and representatives of various drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres functioning in the Shimla district. The meeting was aimed at strengthening the Shimla district administration’s campaign against drug abuse.

The DC said the fight against drug abuse could not be confined to action against drug peddlers. (HT Photo for representation)

During the meeting, operators of de-addiction centres raised various issues and demands before the administration.

“De-addiction centres are not businesses but an important means of social service,” the DC said, adding that helping people overcome addiction and return to a healthy and dignified life was a challenging task.

The DC expressed concern over complaints of drugs being made available to persons undergoing treatment at de-addiction centres. He directed the centre operators to ensure that there was no scope for such practices at institutions whose primary objective was to help people overcome addiction.

Rehabilitation and reintegration equally important

The DC said the fight against drug abuse could not be confined to action against drug peddlers. Treatment, counselling, rehabilitation and reintegration of affected persons into their families and society were equally important. “Rehabilitation is not the end of treatment — it is the beginning of a new life,” he said. He emphasised the need for sustained efforts even after treatment to reconnect recovering persons with their families, education, skill development, employment and society, so that they could avoid relapse and lead a normal life with dignity and self-respect.

Trained doctors, counsellors essential

The availability of trained doctors and, wherever required, psychiatrists at treatment centres is mandatory. In cases of overdose, round-the-clock availability of a doctor must be ensured. For women and minors, on-call services of a gynaecologist and paediatrician, respectively, are required. At least one full-time counsellor must be available for every 30 patients.

Patient registration and records mandatory

Every patient must be registered and provided a unique identification number. Centres are required to maintain records relating to patient assessment, written consent, doctors’ prescriptions, medicines, psychosocial interventions and discharge summaries.

Centres asked to improve facilities

Kashyap directed all centre operators to undertake necessary improvements in their facilities, treatment and counselling systems, staff responsibilities, record maintenance, security arrangements and overall quality of patient care.

Collective effort needed for drug-free society: SSP

Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Gaurav Singh said the fight against drug abuse could succeed only when strict action against drug peddlers was accompanied by equally serious efforts towards treatment and rehabilitation of affected persons.

He called upon all concerned departments, de-addiction centres, health professionals, educational institutions, families and civil society to actively participate in the campaign to build a drug-free society.