Free treatment to poor drug addicts in Punjab

Chandigarh: The Punjab government on Tuesday announced free treatment for poor drug addicts at all state-run de-addiction centres, and also ordered the police not to harass addicts or their families in any way.

Chairing a high-level meeting of Civil Surgeons, Medical Superintendents and Principals of the Government Medical Colleges, the chief minister directed his Chief Principal Secretary to ensure that the necessary funds for free treatment are immediately placed at the disposal of the concerned deputy commissioners.

Captain Amarinder Singh, directed the health department to explore the possibility of seeking financial aid from reputed national and international health organisations, besides engaging with NGOs already working to fight drug abuse.

Noting that drug trafficking was an inter-state problem, of which Punjab was the biggest victim, Captain Amarinder Singh said that he would personally take up the issue with the Prime Minister and urge him to intensify Centre’s efforts to prevent the entry of drugs and narcotics into Punjab from the adjoining states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

IG (STF) informed the meeting that there was a provision under the NDPS Act for seeking funds from the Centre to supplement the State’s efforts to fight the drug menace. In response, the CM asked the health minister to take up the issue with the Union ministry of social justice.