OOAT clinics helping people battle drug addiction, says DC

Tribune News Service

Patiala, June 22

“As many as 2,158 drug addicts, who want to give up drugs, have been registered at the 12 OOAT clinics in the district, so far,” said Deputy Commissioner (DC), Patiala, Kumar Amit. 

Set up with the aim of facilitating healthy life by bringing drug addicts into the mainstream, the state government’s Out-patient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) Clinics are proving an effective tool for those willing to get rid of drug addiction. 

 These centres were proving a boon for drug-addicts, who need not get admitted for treatment, the DC said. Anyone willing to quit drugs should visit OOAT clinics to get rid of the habit, he added.

“The OOAT clinics have been set up at Saket Hospital, Patiala Central Jail, Civil Hospital Nabha, Samana, Rajpura, Community Health Centre (CHC), Model Town, Tripuri, Kalo Majra, Dudan Sadan, Bhadson, Ghanaur, and Patran,” the DC said while giving more information.

“At the OOAT centres, patients are given medicines after conducting urine test, which identifies the type of substance being consumed by them. Subsequently, the type and amount of dose is decided after consultation with psychiatrist,” said Dr Prabhdeep Singh, psychiatrist.