As many as 2.93 lakh drug-addicts have been treated in Out Patient Departments (OPDs) and 9427 have been detoxicated as indoor Patients in Indoor Patient Departments (IPDs) in 24 drug de-addiction centers across the state till date.This was revealed during the second Board meeting of Punjab State Drug de-addiction & Rehabilitation Board chaired by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at CMO this morning. Likewise, under the de-addiction program in central jails 22669 persons have undergone complete detoxification and currently 461 persons were admitted in detoxification wards besides 718 were in rehabilitation wards so that they could lead a normal life with self respect and dignity.While reviewing the progress of the drug de-addiction operations, the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the positive results due to the firm commitment of the health department in tandem with the jail department. Badal also asked the Chief Secretary to ensure that land for the construction of rehabilitation centers must be transferred in the name of health department by different agencies/departments at the earliest so that the entire construction work on 17 such centers must be completed positively by February 2015. He also asked the Chief Secretary to ensure that all drug de-addiction societies must submit online applications to the Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment for seeking grant for running the drug de-addiction centers within a week.
The Chief Minister also directed the Principal Secretary Health to hasten up the process of developing a software for the computerization of data related to patients to resolve the issue of multiple visits of different drug de-addiction centers. Badal also asked Principal Secretary Home to finalize the cases of releasing the addicts consuming small quantity of drugs with Principal Secretary and ADGP Jails within the parameters of legal provisions of the law of the land at the earliest with an objective to lead a life with self respect and dignity. Meanwhile, Principal Secretary health informed the Chief Minister that Dr. Satish Thapar have been entrusted with the task of developing this software to tackle this problem. She also apprised Mr. Badal that 24 drug de-addiction centers were running successfully with the total strength of 35 psychiatrists in the state. She pointed out that rate contract for all medicines including Buprenorphine have been finalized with the guidelines of Dr.Ajit Awasthi in each of the center and further the State Drug Controller and Director Health Services have been asked to ensure the supply of these drugs, which were readily available in all the centers.
A PT instructor had been deployed in each drug de-addiction center for physical exercise of the patients so that they could stay fit and fine. She also said that 66 medical officers to be posted in the rehabilitation centers have been fully trained to take up their assignment efficaciously. It was also informed in the meeting that administrative approvals of 17 rehabilitation centers have been granted to the PWD (B&R) which would execute the construction work of seven rehabilitation centers, besides five each to Mandi Board and Punjab Health System Corporation. Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Health & Family Minister Mr. Surjit Kumar Jiyani, Chief Secretary Mr. Sarvesh Kaushal, Financial Commissioner Revenue Mr. NS Kang, Principal Secretary Health & Family Welfare Mrs. Vinni Mahajan, Principal Secretary Jails Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Secretary PWD (B&R) Mr. PS Aujla, ADGP Jails Mr. RP Meena, Director Narcotic Cell Mr. Ishwar Singh, Director Local Govt. Mr. Priyank Bharti, Director Social Security Mrs. Alaknanda Dayal, Director Health & Family Welfare Mr. Kiranjit Singh, Special Principal Secretary to CM Mr. KJS Cheema and Special Secretary Health Mr. Vikas Garg.