‘Tarang’: A wave of new beginning for drug addicts

‘Tarang’ — an initiative offering a comprehensive approach for the rehabilitation and livelihood generation of drug addicts in Ludhiana — was launched formally by Cabinet Minister Aman Arora during the Independence Day ceremony held at PAU on Friday.

The project offers help to drug addicts and their parents to shun guilt or fear and talk to counsellors for rehabilitation. Those in need can dial 9779175050.

Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain said Dream Ahead, a private firm, was hired to provide assistance to the needy under the project ‘Tarang’. “Social stigma is attached with drug addiction, and parents do not want to come forward as they remain under the fear of what society would think of their child? This initiative is to help them out in the best possible manner,” said Jain, adding that employment bureau here would be the nodal agency, which would show the addicts how to get employment opportunities.

The project basically aims to rehabilitate individuals to achieve sustainable recovery and lead fulfilling lives. This pilot programme had the potential to serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges, contributing to a healthier and more inclusive society, said the DC, adding that the helpline had been started to provide a right direction to the addicts and their families. For individuals, who are already shattered, all they need is love, care, affection and a right direction. “Tarang is an initiative to provide all this,” he said.

The helpline will be operational from 10 am to 6 pm. “It started yesterday and there is not much awareness about it but till now, the helpline received two queries, in which councillors helped the callers,” said DC Jain.

The basic aim is to create a supportive ecosystem in Ludhiana that enables rehabilitated drug addicts to secure a stable and suitable pathway based livelihood opportunities, contributing to their personal recovery, reducing social stigma and strengthening community well-being, with a unique psychological support system.

The two main pillars of the programme are psychological support system and livelihood generation programme. “From past experience and a general telephonic survey of agencies and actors already involved in rehabilitation process, it has come to light that successful reintegration in employment of rehabs is a biggest pain point as many do not show up for jobs or relapse within a short period. Many earlier programmes for livelihood have lacked a focused support emotional and psychological support structure,” said one of the psychologists in the city.