Muktsar, September 15: The state government’s de-addiction drive seems to have fizzled out in Muktsar district.
Not even a single drug addict is admitted at the 50-bed rehabilitation centre at Thehri village here and the de-addiction centre in Muktsar town is lying closed.
The SAD-BJP government had inaugurated the rehabilitation centre in December 2015 that was constructed on 3.5 acres at the cost of Rs 4.3 crore. Further, a staff of 18 persons was deployed.
When it failed to attract addicts, the government even reduced the fee of Rs 200 per day to just Rs 50 here. The fee includes treatment fee, admission charges and meal cost, but the centre continues to wear a deserted look.
Further, the de-addiction centre at Civil Hospital, Muktsar, is lying closed because the post of psychiatrist has been vacant for a month.
Sources in the Health Department said that the doctor posted here earlier was given the additional charge of Zira, but was later transferred there.
Dr Rashmi Chawla, who looks after the rehabilitation centre at Thehri village, said, “We are shifting an addict from Malout de-addiction centre to the rehabilitation centre at Thehri today. The centre was vacated due to the tension after the verdict in Dera Sacha Sauda chief’s case.”
Officials of Health Department said that this centre usually doesn’t have more than 2-3 patients.
Dr Sukhpal Singh, Civil Surgeon, Muktsar, said, “One of our de-addiction centres is shut because there is no psychiatrist there. Further, the police sometimes get the record of addicts from the rehabilitation centre at Thehri. This proves a deterrent for addicts to come there.”
He said, “We provide meals to addicts who come to the rehabilitation centre. Counselling is also done. The fee is very nominal and we also hold awareness camps in villages.”
News Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com
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