In an unique step aimed at helping the drug dependents to lead a normal life by involving them in recreational activities, the district administration is going to begin music classes for them at Government Drug rehabilitation centre running at Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) Centre, in Shekhe village.Divulging the details, the deputy commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma said that the music classes are aimed at giving the drug dependents a good change, refreshing experience, and positivity. He said that the musical instruments including piano, harmonium, flute and others have reached in the centre and the music classes would be started soon here as the process of the appointing of a music teacher is already on.Mr Sharma said that music has a powerful impact on the emotional states of a person and therapy would help to provide a more comfortable environment for them in their treatment. He further told that music builds confidence among the people and in this way, this would prove a medium to make the drug dependents youths to express themselves besides boosting confidence among them.
Varinder Kumar Sharma said that the massive drive against the drug peddlers by Punjab government and large scale awareness programs DAPO, Buddy and others have sensitized the general public resulting the drug dependents are visiting the centre for treatment.The Deputy Commissioner said that it is an encouraging trend and district administration would continue its efforts until the entire district was not made drug free.Meanwhile, Civil Surgeon Dr Rajesh Bagga said that the Health department is in the process of recruiting more additional staff for the centre which has a full-fledged round-the-clock 20 bedded facility and staff strength of a medical officer, counselor, ward boys, nursing staff, and others at presently. He also informed that the department has also tied up with NGO which would start offering three-month certificate courses in computers, welding, plumbing and electrical jobs to those who are under treatment here so that they do not face any kind of problem in getting employment once they complete rehab treatment.