Drug de-addiction centres left in lurch

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 20

Drug de-addiction was the major agenda of the Congress during elections. The party had promised to wipe off drugs from the state within four weeks after coming to power, but nothing has been announced to eradicate the drug menace in the state.

Many closed down drug de-addiction centres, which were expecting grant from the government in the budget, have been left disappointed.

Manoj Sobti, member of the Punjab Medical Council and former president of the Indian Medical Association, said checking the menace of drugs was the main agenda of the government during elections, but nothing has been announced in the budget in this regard.

“Many drug de-addiction centres are lying shut in the state after the grant from the Centre stopped coming. The hopes of these centres turned bleak after the announcement of the budget,” said Dr Sobti.

Health Minister Brahm Mohindra had announced that efforts would be made for the re-opening of the existing and opening of new drug de- centres, as the government was committed to check the drug addiction in the state. He had visited the city as the chief guest of a mega health camp organised by the Health Department.

In the same camp, Sukhdeep Kaur, a councillor at Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, had said a few years ago, the circle used to run Aas Kiran Drug De-addiction Centre which had to be closed down as the grant from the Centre had stopped coming. She was hoping that the centre would be revived after the formation of the new government.

Harjot Singh, a resident, said he worked in a drug de-addiction centre which was shut down a year ago. He said his owner was hopeful of its revival after the new government, but it seemed to be a tough task now.

No hope of revival now

Many drug de-addiction centres, which had been closed down, were expecting a grant for revival from the government in the Budget, but they have been left disappointed. Harjot Singh, a resident, said he worked at a drug de-addiction centre that was shut down a year ago. He said the owner of the centre was hopeful of its revival after the new government, but it seemed to be a tough task now.