Punjab Government has started the urine screening testing of patients coming to de-addiction centres and OOAT Clinics for treatment of substance abuse. The project is being taken up in Sangrur and Tarn Taran districts as a pilot project, said the State Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu on Friday.
He said that more than 4000 patients have been screened so far to check the use of habit-forming drugs and opioid substances and to prescribe treatment accordingly by the psychiatrists. The main focus is now on monitoring and supervision of these de-addiction and rehabilitation centres to provide quality care services to patients as per their medical needs, said the Minister.
“Activities, based on awareness generation and sensitization of the community and target groups, is the backbone of de-addiction program. In order to promote livelihood activities and to instill self-esteem in these individuals to keep them away from the drugs, the State Government has also initiated the skill development program,” he said.
The Minister said that even during these difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic, the State Government has continued its commitment to tackle the menace of substance abuse in the State.
