Pb: Bathinda worst-affected district in drug abuse

Bathinda is the worst-affected district in Punjab when it comes to drug abuse. On an average, 35,000 new drug addicts have been approaching hospitals for treatment every month since July this year.

Bathinda is the worst-affected district in Punjab when it comes to drug abuse. On an average, 35,000 new drug addicts have been approaching hospitals for treatment every month since July this year.

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According to the data compiled by the department of health and family welfare, among all 22 districts, Bathinda has the maximum number of drug addicts. Since July, on an average, 4,000 new drug addicts registered themselves every month for the de-addiction treatment in various hospitals and dispensaries of the district.

The district also tops when it comes to the number of drug addicts getting admitted for de-addiction. On an average, 700 drug addicts got themselves admitted in the district hospitals every month.

The number of drug addicts getting admitted in Bathinda hospitals is several times higher as compared to other districts. The number of such patients in Bathinda district almost equals that of the indoor patients recorded in rest of the 21 districts put together.

The other worse-affected districts are Amritsar, Moga, Tarn Taran, Nawanshahr, Muktsar, Mansa and Ludhiana.

When it comes to the number of people seeking treatment, Bathinda was closely followed by Amritsar, where around 3,500 drug addicts sought treatment every month since July.

Moga district was not far behind with around 3,300 drug addicts seeking treatment at the hospitals and dispensaries of the district. Tarn Taran, another Majha district, also fell in the same league as 2,900 drug addicts sought treatment in the OPDs of various hospitals and dispensaries.

On June 19, with a fortnight special campaign, the state government had launched a special drive against drug de-addiction in the state.

District OPD IPD

Bathinda 3,971 707

Amritsar 3,571 69

Moga 3,264 22

Tarn Taran 2,854 15

Nawanshahr 2,176 40

Muktsar 2,066 13

Ludhiana 2,066 77

Mansa 2,058 22

Jalandhar 1,952 63

Gurdaspur 1,564 38

Barnala 1,424 21

Sangrur 1,342 19

Hoshiarpur 1,291 101

Patiala 1,247 1

Kapurthala 795 57

Faridkot 788 54

Rupnagar 772 0

Fatehgarh Sahib 686 0

Fazilka 457 8

Ferozepur 448 32

Pathankot 344 43

SAS Nagar 233 0