To handle the increased inflow of patients at the state’s Drug De-addiction Centres, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday issued a series of instructions to further strengthen his government’s anti-drug campaign, including hiring of retired Government psychiatrists and employment or empanelment of full-time or part-time private psychiatrists.
Capt Amarinder, at his weekly review meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee set up to monitor the anti-drug measures taken by various agencies, also directed the concerned departments or officials to formulate strategies for ensuring security of drug addicts and their families coming to the de-addiction and rehabilitation centres, along with a holistic media campaign to effectively spread awareness on drugs.
The Chief Minister also asked the District Authorities to crackdown on centres selling Buprenophine-Naloxone in large quantities in violation of prescribed protocols.
Capt Amarinder asked the state Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh to approach the Union Ministry of Social Empowerment and Justice for financial grant for setting up additional private de-addiction centres in Punjab to complement the State Government's efforts to contain drug abuse.
To reach out more aggressively to the people with information on various anti-drug government programmes, Capt Amarinder asked the Health Department to involve sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs), Block Development and Panchayat Officers (BDPOs) and village panchayats in dissemination programmes.
The list of nearest Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centres should be displayed on billboards and hoardings at strategic places, including bus stands, government hospitals and civil dispensaries in all cities, towns and villages across the state, he said.
The Chief Minister also asked the Ministers in-charge of the concerned districts to hold regular meetings, along with the MlAs, to keep strict vigil over the treatment and medical care facilities being extended to the drug addicts at the government drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres.
Besides ensuring that the OOAT and Drug De-addiction Centres work in strict adherence to the laid standard operating procedure, the Chief Minister directed immediate inspection of the existing private centres to ensure that they are equipped with proper infrastructure in terms of manpower and other facilities.
If the district authorities feel that a de-addiction centre does not meet the minimum standards or is not providing all the required services in the prescribed manner, the same may be recommended for closure, he added.
Accepting a proposal by the Chief Secretary, Capt Amarinder asked the Sports and Youth Welfare Department to evolve an action plan for the revival of Youth Clubs in villages and encourage these clubs to regularly organise Kabbadi, Volleyball, and Hockey tournaments in order to constructively channelise the youth energy.
The Chief Minister suggested drawing of an annual sports calendar to involve youth in such extra-curricular and sports activities. He also asked the Deputy Commissioners to play a proactive role in facilitating such sporting events in consultation with the Rural Development and Panchayats Department.