Illegal drug de-addiction centre shut down in Nurpur

The local administration, in collaboration with health and police officials, conducted a surprise inspection of an illegal drug de-addiction centre at Letri village in Khazan gram panchayat near Nurpur on Wednesday evening. The facility, operated by a resident of Amritsar, Punjab, had been running from a rented accommodation since January without the mandatory registration from the Himachal Pradesh State Mental Health Authority (HPSMHA).

Despite its operation for months, neither the local gram panchayat nor the Health Department officials had detected the unauthorised facility. A team led by Nurpur SDM Gursimar Singh, along with Nurpur DSP Vishal Verma and Block Medical Officer Dilwar Singh, found 13 inmates at the centre—11 from Punjab and two from Himachal Pradesh.

Investigations revealed that a psychiatrist from Kangra had issued a certificate to the centre, offering his medical services from January 31. However, the facility lacked legal approval. SDM Gursimar Singh confirmed that the centre was illegal and ordered its closure within 24 hours. Following this directive, the owner vacated the premises and sent all inmates back to their native places on Friday.

The SDM emphasised the importance of verifying credentials, including police verification, of individuals seeking to establish drug de-addiction centres, especially in border areas like Nurpur. This case marks the third such closure in recent months, with two similar centres in Indora and Damtal also shut down for operating without authorization.

Local organisations, including thw Jan Chetna, Garry Care Foundation and Nurpur Welfare Committee, raised concerns over the background of inmates housed in these centres. They urged the police to conduct thorough verification of both operators and residents, as many inmates come from other states and could have criminal backgrounds.

The Tribune had earlier reported on March 7 about the increasing number of unauthorised drug rehabilitation centres in Nurpur, Indora, and Fatehpur, violating standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by HPSMHA. According to Section 65 of the Mental Health Care Act, 2017, establishments operating without compliance face action under Section 107 of the Act, along with severe penalties. Authorities are now focusing on stricter monitoring and enforcement to prevent illegal rehabilitation centres from flourishing in the region.