Drug addicts come forward to shun abuse

Ravi Chandel

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 14

Drug addicts seem to be in a mood to quit their bad habit and make a new beginning. Doctors feel that a rise in the number of addicts reaching the Bhai Mani Singh Civil Hospital in the recent past is a positive development.

Sources said as many as 9,027 drug addicts had visited the OPD of the de-addiction centre till September this year. “The number does not include 463 addicts, who are being treated at the rehabilitation centre. The figure for the last eight-nine months (2016) was 6, 925,” the sources added.

Civil Surgeon Hari Narayan Singh said, “I have already intimated the higher officials regarding the shortage of drug de-addiction centres in the district. We have been assured that a new drug de-addiction centre will be opened in the district.”

Talking to Bathinda Tribune, Dr Arun Bansal, psychiatrist, Civil Hospital, said, “Everyday approximately 30 to 35 patients reach the government hospital. One third of them are hooked to alcohol and two thirds are addicted to drugs such as poppy husk, opium and heroin.”

The Civil Hospital is learnt to have made special efforts to make patients mentally strong and determined to quit the abuse. There have been superb results on record.

Haridutt Sharma, a patient, said, “Earlier, I went to the drug de-addiction centre on Goniana Road. We were not even provided basic facilities which were directly in contravention of tall government claims on having made a significant progress in patient care.”

“Besides, there is only one drug de-addiction centre located in the whole district. The authorities concerned have to take concrete steps to help drug addicts in their attempt rather than ignoring or delaying the issue,” he added.