CM launches portal listing 50 rehabilitation centres

Tribune News Service
Shimla, November 16

Drugs abuse brings neuro-biological changes that lead to behavioral changes, especially among the youth, and takes its toll on the productive years when students are studying.

As a large number of the youth is indulging in drug abuse, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur yesterday launched the website of the Himachal Pradesh State Mental Health Authority, listing 50 rehab centres, enabling the family members to identify the authorised centre for rehabilitation of their wards.

The website prescribes standards in terms of infrastructure, manpower and WHO recommended treatment protocols and rehabilitation plan as per the Rehabilitation Council of India. It lists 50 authorised centres with a total capacity of over 1,750 beds, besides establishment details, acts and rules, role and function of the authority.

The transaction from euphoria state of mind to dysphoria (happiness to depression) needs proper medical treatment, counselling and emotional support and, therefore, the norms of rehab centres become essential, says CEO, HPSMHA, Dr Sanjay Pathak. All de-addiction centres will be registered with the HPSMHA failing which they will be shut down. The mushrooming growth of rehabilitation centres, especially in Una and Nalagarh, which had become a new business preposition and are not adhering to proper norms, had came to the notice following which the registration of these centres is made mandatory.