Maximum drug patients in Punjab users of opium, poppy husk, smack

Maximum number of patients of drug addiction in Punjab are users of intoxicants like opium, smack, poppy husk and brown sugar, even as there are no reliable estimates available about the prevalence of the problem in the state, PGIMER experts have said.

"We are receiving maximum number of patients (for treatment) who have used opium, smack, poppy husk, brown sugar in Punjab. The number of such patients is very large who are coming to us," PGIMER Chandigarh, Professor Psychiatry, Dr Ajit Awasthi said here today.

Punjab government has roped in experts from Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) to advise the state government regarding treatment of drug addiction and rehabilitation of the addicts. A day before the ruling party Shiromani Akali Dal's proposed sit-in against drug smuggling near international borders, PGIMER experts today held a media briefing regarding drug de-addiction. On this occasion, Punjab's Health secretary Vini Mahajan and Dr. K K Talwar, an Advisor to Punjab government for Medical Education and Research were also present.

Asked about the prevalence of drug abuse in Punjab, Awasthi said there are no reliable estimates available which could throw light on the extent of drug abuse in the state."There are no reliable estimates available so far to what extent this (drug abuse) problem is in Punjab. I am saying with the full sense of responsibility," he said. He further rejected the contention that 70 per cent youth in Punjab were addicted to drugs. "70 per cent of Punjab's youth are addicts was a wrong interpretation of a study," said Awasthi, who has been associated with the Punjab government for the past more than 2 years. About two years ago, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi had claimed seven out of ten youths in Punjab had a drug problem which had triggered a controversy with the ruling Akali Dal asking how the Congress leader came to this "mathematical conclusion" on drug addiction in the state.

Asked about drug patients being treated, Awasthi said around 3.30 lakh patients had been treated on OPD basis, while 11,656 patients had been treated as indoor patients from June 19, 2014 till December 15, 2014. However, Awasthi said a comprehensive study has been proposed to be conducted which would give exact picture of drug users in Punjab.

"We have proposed to Indian Council of Medical Research for conducting a study in Punjab for ascertaining the exact prevalence (of the drug problem)," Awasthi said. A house to house survey will be conducted in urban as well as rural areas and hidden population and treatment patterns would also be covered in this study, he said, adding, technical approval for conducting the study has been received.

Experts from medical colleges Amritsar, Faridkot and Patiala and Institute of mental health would also assist in this study, he added. "We are awaiting funds for this study," he said, adding, "The study, once it is complete, will provide the most reliable data," he asserted.

Talking about the steps being taken regarding drug de-addiction and rehabilitation, Punjab Health Secretary Vini Mahajan said as many as 27 drug de-addiction centres (DDC) have been operationalised so far in the state.

"Five DDCs are being set up at Jalandhar, Patiala and Bathinda while 50 bedded DDC at Amritsar and Faridkot are fully functional," she said. Mahajan further said de-addiction centres had also been set up in eight model central jails at Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, Faridkot and Ferozepur. Till now, more than 22,000 patients have been treated in jails, she said.

Punjab will soon have a capacity of about 450 bedded DDC and more than 1,000 bedded rehabilitation centres in the state as parts of its efforts to tackle the drug problem. Speaking on this occasion, Talwar described the problem as "drug terrorism" and pitched for mass awareness programme among youth to keep them away from drugs.