Drug de-addiction centre to come up at Kotla Barog, Shandil inspects site

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dhani Ram Shandil inspected a site proposed for the construction of a state-of-the-art de-addiction and rehabilitation centre at Kotla Barog in Sirmaur district today.

Shandil was accompanied by Additional Chief Secretary (Social Justice and Empowerment) Shyam Bhagat Negi, Director of Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Minorities and Specially Abled Empowerment Department Sumit Khimta and other senior officers of various departments. He held detailed discussions regarding the project and finalised 142.7 bighas for the establishment of the centre.

The minister directed the departments concerned to expedite the construction of the centre, emphasising that the state government had already sanctioned Rs 5.34 crore for the project.

He said that the upcoming facility at Kotla Barog would prove helpful in the fight against substance abuse and drug trafficking. The aim of the centre would be to provide de-addiction and rehabilitation services and also comprehensive counselling and guidance to help the youth reintegrate into society.

Shandil said that the youth were the foundation of the nation’s progress and a prosperous country could only be built with healthy, energetic and focused young minds. “It is unfortunate that the menace of drug addiction has spread among our youth and within our society. There is an urgent need to strengthen preventive measures, ensure proper rehabilitation and provide the right direction to our younger generation,” he added.

The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to curbing drug abuse through a multi-dimensional approach focusing on prevention, treatment and social reintegration of affected individuals.