Health Dept seals drug rehab centres

Tribune News Service
Patiala, October 23

In just 24 hours, the district Health Department has unearthed two “illegal” drug rehabilitation centres, which were running on the city outskirts.

On Tuesday, the Health Department raided New Navjyoti Care Foundation Drug Counselling and Rehabilitation centre at Sher Majra village. After the raid, the department sealed it. Health Department officials, after receiving a tip-off, raided the centre, which falls under the Kauli health sub-center.

Patiala Civil Surgeon Dr Manjit Singh said during the raid, health officials found 10 youngsters at the centre. However, all of them claimed that they were not inmates, but they were staying as guests of the owner. 

According to sources, 75 imamates were staying in the same centre until Sunday. Anticipating the raid, most of them fled, they added. 

The owner of the Navjyoti Care center, Gurinder Singh, said, “All these youngsters are my family members and were staying as guests. I have applied for the licence in August this year, but I am still waiting for it.”

On Monday, The health department had raided Guru Nanak Chetna Foundation Rehabilitation center where 11 inmates were staying.

The Civil Surgeon said the department would conduct more raids in the coming days and action would be initiated against the defaulters.

Kauli Senior Medical Officer (SMO) Kiran Verma said, “We were suspicious after we found pairs of shoes and personal belongings of more than two dozen persons. We also found food material for more than 50 persons, which increased the suspicion that centre was being run for many inmates.” 

Amritpal Singh (20), who was living in the centre, said, “I knew the owner of the centre and I came here on his request.” Another youngster Imtiaaz from Malerkotla, said, “I came here just a week ago and I was living here with other people just to help them. I am not a drug addict.”