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Psychiatrists, jail admin launch drive to reform addicted inmates
According to psychiatrists, kin of addicted persons often neglect them or misbehave with them. This discourages the addicted to quit addiction.
PRAYAGRAJ In a bid to reform drug-addicted inmates, the Naini Jail administration and psychiatrists have launched a campaign. Under the new initiative, inmates are being counselled and encouraged to quit addiction. The drive will help inmates and improve their mental strength to combat the menace, said psychiatrists.
At present, over three dozen prisoners at Naini Central Jail are lodged for use of banned drugs, marijuana, sedative syrups, injections, and their smuggling and supply. With the help of jail administration, psychiatrists will counsel these inmates. Small groups of such inmates will be formed for discussions about the negative impact of drug use on their health, family, and social status. Like in a support group, the inmates will share their bad experiences of drug addiction and how they suffered. The inmates will pledge to quit drug use after they are released from jail.
The drive assumes significance as several inmates arrested for use of banned drugs and their supply start its use again after being released from jail. Repeated offence and drug use affects their families and financial condition. Thus, the team of psychiatrists will also approach the families of drug-addict inmates and give them tips to reform their kin.
According to psychiatrists, kin of addicted persons often neglect them or misbehave with them. This discourages the addicted to quit addiction. Such inmates often are reluctant to live normal lives and go back to addiction. Inmates like these will be counselled inside the jail and kept under observation even after their release. Their kin will be told to motivate them to quit addiction of drugs, added psychiatrists.
In a workshop under District Mental Health Programme held at Naini Central Jail on Sunday, a team of psychiatrists under Dr Rakesh Paswan and jail officials held discussions on mental health of prisoners. On the occasion, Shashikant Singh, senior superintendent at Naini Central Jail, said addicted prisoners are being identified. Also, efforts are underway to reform them and keep them away from drug addiction even if they are released from jail, he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Rakesh Paswan, senior psychiatrist at Colvin Hospital, said group of inmates who were addicted to drugs will be formed and be given tips to quit addictions. The inmates will also be encouraged to discuss their bad experiences of drug addiction. Their kin will also be approached and be asked to motivate their kin to quit addiction instead of neglecting them, the doctor added.
