Health Dept asked to map OOAT centres

Authorities of the Health Department have been advised to undertake mapping of all Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centres keeping in mind the hotspots identified by the Police Department for drug abuse.

The decision to undertake mapping was taken during a review meeting of Norco Coordination Centre (NCORD) held under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Viraj S Tidke. ADC Sukhpreet Singh Sidhu chaired the meeting.

Ahmedgarh SDM Harbans Singh said that the Health Department personnel led by Assistant Civil Surgeon Sajil Khan had been advised to ensure that healthcare officials deployed at all OOAT centres were in regular coordination with the police personnel of their respective areas and have adequate knowledge about the profile of inhabitants of localities identified as hotspots for drug abuse and drug peddling.

“Though officials of various departments have been doing their best to fight against the menace of drug abuse, there is great need of further coordination among personnel at OOAT centres, de-addiction centres, rehabilitation wings and the police,” said Sidhu,

Referring to information received from SP(D) Sat Pal, the ADC said that more than 64 drug peddlers had been nabbed after registering 25 cases under the NDPS Act in three weeks and a haul of drugs and narcotics, including 296 gm of heroin, were seized from various places.