Music classes to help drug users join mainstream

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 11

In a unique step aimed at helping the drug dependents to lead a normal life by involving them in recreational activities, the district administration is going to start music classes for them at the Government Drug Rehabilitation Centre running at the Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) Centre at Sheaikhen village.

Divulging details, Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma said the music classes were aimed at giving the drug dependents a good change, refreshing experience and bringing positivity.

He said musical instruments, including piano, harmonium, flute and others have reached the centre and the music classes would start soon. The process of appointing a music teacher is already on.

Sharma said music has a powerful impact on the emotional state of a person and the therapy would help to provide a more comfortable environment for them in their treatment.

He added that music builds confidence among people and in this way, it would prove to be a medium to make the drug dependent youths to express themselves, besides boosting confidence among them.

Sharma said a massive drive against the drug peddlers by the Punjab Government and large scale awareness programmes — DAPO, Buddy and others — had sensitised the general public, and as a result drug dependents were visiting the centre for treatment.

The Deputy Commissioner said it was an encouraging trend and the district administration would continue its efforts until the entire district was not made drug free.

Meanwhile, Civil Surgeon Dr Rajesh Bagga said the Health Department was in the process of recruiting additional staff for the centre, which has a full-fledged round-the-clock 20-bedded facilities and staff strength of a medical officer, counselor, ward boys, nursing staff, and others at present.

He added that the department had also tied up with an NGO, which would start offering three-month certificate courses in computers, welding, plumbing and electrical jobs to those who are under treatment here so that they do not face any kind of problem in getting employment once they complete rehab course.