Helpline to support addicts to be launched on Aug 15

Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain said the district administration would launch the Tarang Helpline, a dedicated initiative to provide psychological support, counselling and livelihood assistance to drug-affected individuals on August 15.

During the visit to Red Cross Bhawan on Friday, DC Jain reviewed the operational setup of the helpline and held discussions with representatives of Dream Ahead, the agency tasked with managing the initiative. He said the Helpline would serve as a lifeline for individuals and families affected by drug addiction, providing immediate access to counselling, treatment guidance and livelihood opportunities.

The helpline will act as the single point of contact for individuals seeking help, their families and informants reporting drug-related concerns. It will guide callers to the nearest outpatient opioid assisted treatment (OOAT) clinic, de-addiction centre, or rehabilitation centre based on their needs. Follow-up calls after seven days will ensure continuous monitoring of treatment progress, with daily reports submitted to a nodal officer from the Health Department. The initiative also includes one-on-one and group counselling sessions, with dedicated group counselling every Saturday at the Red Cross Bhawan which shall be overseen by officials of the Health Department and supported by security and PCR teams.

Further, to support long-term rehabilitation, the helpline will coordinate with the District Bureau of Employment and Enterprises (DBEE) and Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM) to provide skill training, job opportunities and access to self-employment schemes. DC Jain added that dedicated officers from the health and police departments will ensure streamlined action on medical and drug-related complaints, with Dream Ahead submitting daily reports to nodal officers and weekly feedback to his office. Strict confidentiality of callers’ identities will be maintained to encourage open communication.