De-addiction centre raided in Ambala, 23 addicts rescued

The police raided a drug de-addiction centre in Saha area of Ambala and rescued 23 addicts from the centre, being run without a licence on Monday night.

The addicts were taken to the Civil Hospital at Ambala Cantonment for psychiatric evaluation and medical examination, and later handed over to their respective families.

As per information, the police received information that a de-addiction centre was being run at Chhani village of Saha block without licence. The police, along with the Health Department, inspected the centre and rescued the addicts. Twelve staff members were also detained by the police, but were later released.

The centre was reportedly being run by a Punjab resident after taking a house on rent in the village.

The Deputy Civil Surgeon, Ambala, Dr Mukesh, said, “Information was received from the SP's office regarding the illegal de-addiction centre being run, following which a team was formed by the Civil Surgeon to conduct an inspection. The centre operator had applied for a provisional licence and the centre was being run without registration. The addicts were taken to the Civil Hospital for psychiatric evaluation. Their family members were also informed.”

The Civil Surgeon, Ambala, Dr Rakesh Sehal, said, “The centre was unregistered and the addicts included residents of Punjab and Kurukshetra. A complaint with legal opinion has been sent to the police for further action. No medicines were recovered from the centre. There are 16 registered de-addiction centres in the district.”

The SP, Ajit Singh Shekhawat, said, “During the ongoing drive for Nasha Mukt Abhiyan, we came to know about a Nasha Mukti Kendra being run in the village. When we enquired, no documents and licence was produced by the staff there. The licence is issued by the Civil Surgeon's office to run a de-addiction centre. A case will be registered.”