De-addiction centres at Samrala, Jagraon soon

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 26

A new drug de-addiction centre will be opened at Samrala soon besides a new rehabilitation centre at Jagraon, which would be operational in the next 4-5 months. 

Deputy Commissioner Rajat Agarwal said this while addressing a gathering on the occasion of “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” at Civil Hospital here today. 

The DC also administered oath to the Health Department and other government officials to stay away from drugs.

While emphasising on various initiatives that have been taken by the Punjab Government for de-addiction of affected people, the DC said the number of de-addiction centres in the district will increase. He said special focus has been laid to prevent youths from drugs.

He said drug addiction was not something which was difficult to shun. He said one just needs a strong willpower and support from family and friends. Rajat Agarwal said the district administration was willing to walk an extra mile when it came to eradicating this menace. He said if any person wanted to shun drugs, he could visit the drug de-addiction centres set up in different parts of the district and the treatment would be free of cost.

He said the media needs to highlight the success stories of those who have shunned drugs and were now leading a normal life. He said: “The district administration will make sure that that once a person leaves drugs, he is properly rehabilitated and that they get jobs as well.

Dr Renu Chhatwal, Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, said: “The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed every year on June 26. The main aim of organising such functions is to eradicate drug addiction from the society.”

“Awareness regarding the ill-effects of drug addiction is being conducted through special workshops, seminars, camps, folk media etc at village-levels as well as district-level of the state,” she said.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Supreet Singh Gulati also administered oath against drug abuse to the District Administration officials at Bachat Bhawan, here today.