Hathoya illegal de-addiction centre sealed, 37 rescued
The authorities concerned at Amargarh subdivision rescued 37 inmates from an illegally run drug de-addiction centre being run under the name of “A New Hope Foundation” wellness centre at Hathoya village near here today.
As the organisers of the alleged de-addiction centre could not produce required sanctions and documents during the surprise checking conducted by senior functionaries of the police, health and civil administration, the raiding team sealed the premises, though no case has been registered by the police yet.
The prohibitory and punitive action was taken in pursuance of the guidelines of Deputy Commissioner, Malerkotla, Viraj S Tidke and SSP Gagan Ajit Singh in connection with ongoing ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, a few days after Health Minister Balbir Singh warned private drug de-addiction centres against violation of guidelines for running a detoxification centre.
Malerkotla SSP said that joint teams of the police, health and civil administration had raided an illegal de-addiction centre being run under the guise of a fitness centre at Hathoya village under the supervision of Amargarh DSP Davinder Singh Sandhu. Ritu Sethi, SMP, Civil Hospital, Amargarh, psychiatrist Dr Ashok Kumar and drug inspector Navpreet Singh led the Health Department team.
Preliminary investigations revealed that owner of the premises, Chhikku Khan of Jamalpur locality, had rented out the premises to Didar Khan of Saddopur, who was running a de-addiction centre under the guise of a wellness centre.
As the organisers failed to satisfy the raiding team regarding the presence of 37 inmates, including those undergoing treatment, the authorities got all incumbents freed from organisers and handed them over to their parents.
The SSP said further action would be taken on the basis of reports submitted by the team of the Health Department.
Following the constitution of the Cabinet committee on fighting drug addiction, the Health Minister had announced that the accountability of private drug de-addiction centres would be fixed in the campaign launched to create a drug-free society.
