7,980 registered at seven OOAT centres in Moga

Kulwinder Sandhu

Tribune News Service

Moga, June 25

After successfully rehabilitating themselves, reformed addicts in Moga district are now acting as Drug Abuse Prevention Officers (DAPO) by referring other substance users to get free treatment at Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) and rehabilitation centres.

Giving details, Deputy Medical Commissioner Dr Surinder Setia said under this campaign, as many as 7,980 drug addicts had registered themselves at seven OOAT centres functioning in the district.

He said one OOAT centre was attached to a 15-bed drug rehabilitation centre at Janer village, while six others were functioning from the Community Health Centres at Baghapurana, Nihal Singh Wala, Badhni Kalan, Dhudike, Kot-ise-Khan and Daroli Bhai.

Dr Setia said after successfully giving up drugs, at least 20 reformed addicts were now bringing other substance users to the OOAT centres for treatment. Reformed addicts who are taking such initiatives are being rewarded by the department.”

Dr Setia said in a short span of time, the OOAT centres had brought a big change in the lives of addicts. “Of the total 7,980 registered, over 1,000 addicts have given up drugs. They are now being administered minimum medication in the final stage.”

As per information, the OOAT project was started by the Congress-led government in October 2017 to curb the menace of drugs in the state.

Dr Setia said the Punjab Government’s programmes such as DAPO and Buddy had created so much awareness among the public that not only the affected parents were bringing their wards for treatment but also the children had started approaching the OOAT centres for their parents’ rehabilitation.

He said overcoming the social stigma attached to the problem, any drug addict could undergo treatment at the OOAT centres and their identity would be kept confidential.

Meanwhile, a district-level function to spread awareness about the ill-effects of drugs will be held at the Indo-Soviet Friendship College of Pharmacy at Ghal Kalan village on International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking on Wednesday.

‘Over 1,000 have come clean’

As many as 7,980 addicts have registered themselves at seven OOAT centres in the district. Of these, over 1,000 have given up drugs. They are being administered minimum medication in the final stage. Dr Surinder Setia, Deputy medical commissioner