OOAT centres proving to be boon for drug addicts, DC

2200 drug addicts currently undergoing treatment in district, civil surgeon

5 Dariya News

Mansa 08-Feb-2019

On its mission to wipe off drugs from the state, Punjab government has not only confiscated several drugs and arrested accused under Mission Tandarust Punjab, but is also reaching out to drug addicts in the form of medical help through its Out Patient Opiod Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centers. At these OOAT clinics, patients are being given free medicines for de addiction.Giving information here today Deputy Commissioner Mansa miss Apneet Riyait stated that to help the addicts attain sobriety, the government of Punjab had opened OOAT center and rehabilitation center at Thoothianwali road Mansa, OOAT center at Sub Divisional Hospital Sardulgarh and sub divisional hospital Budhlada. Besides this, similar centers are being set up at Community Health centers Jhunir and Bhikhi.She said that these centers were proving to be boon for the drug addicts who need not get admitted for treatment. They can take medicine as well as  do their work.Giving further information civil surgeon Dr Lal Chand Thukral stated that currently 2220 patients are getting treatment. At the OOAT centers patients are given free treatment as well as counseling. The patients are given medicines at OOAT clinics and the same is to be consumed in front of the doctor. Patients are not allowed to take medicines home. He added that anyone wiling to kick drugs should visit these OOAT clinics to get rid of the habit.He added that the patients visiting OOAT are issued unique identification number that is linked with patient's aadhar card. All the patients are registered online. The patients are given medicine, which is gradually decreased and completely phased out. The patient is then sent to de addiction center. He appealed people to help drug addicts by bringing them to OOAT centers.