Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 19: High Court today closed the Public Interest Litigation on drug addiction menace with the direction to the Government to ensure establishment of drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centers.
The Division Bench of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice V C Koul said the steps taken and the approach adopted so far by the Government to curb the drug menace are satisfactory, however, reiterated the direction passed by the court on the issue from time to time be implemented and awareness be accelerated by the authorities about the effect of menace amongst the general public.
“The court has already passed the directions from time to time, which has yielded results, as the Government is on record by not only assuring establishment of drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centers but also curbing the menace by accelerating all agencies concerned and also evolving the mechanism for general awareness of the public in general and the youngsters in particular”, reads the judgment.
It may be mentioned that the Special Director General of Police addressed a letter to the Joint Secretary (J&K Affairs) Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, North Block, New Delhi which the court has taken note of, submitting therein that the Jammu and Kashmir Police under Civic Action Programme is receiving funds to the tune of Rs.500.00 lakhs annually.
These funds are being received and utilized for honorarium for two Drug De-addiction Centres at Jammu and Srinagar, sports activities to involve and engage youth of the State, assistance to school going poor children, Police public meets etc.
It was proposed to establish 23 new drug De-addiction Centres among all the remaining districts of the State for which an amount of Rs.656.19 lakh (Rs.28.53 lakh for each DDC) will be involved and Home Department had requested to release an amount of Rs. 156.19 lakh.
The drug de-addiction policy has been formulated by the Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, Kashmir in collaboration with department of Psychiatry, SKIMS medical college, Srinagar and approved by the SAC after threadbare discussion on it.
Some features of the Policy are recommendation of model de-addiction centers provides as registration and documentation, outpatient treatment, inpatient, emergency services including ambulance services, Dispensing of medications, psychosocial interventions, Laboratory services, Consultation with RNTCP & NACO, Record maintenance and Service audit systems, training of other medical staff from primary and secondary care levels, De-addiction Centers at the Medical College level which should provide harm reduction services wherever indicated.
Further the staff for model de-addiction centers has also been provided, which at minimum must be manpower with a Psychiatrist from MCI recognized institution, a clinical Psychologist with RCI recognized degree, a Social Worker, a nurse, a Pharmacist etc.
There has been also indicated need to have special cells dedicated to drug menace, in the draft policy and J&K Police, Security and Intelligence wing and Crime branch need to work in tandem with Nodal Centers by deputing adequate personnel to for training.
Monitoring Committee for implementation of the policy will be a state level committee headed by Chief Secretary and will have administrative secretary of the department of H&ME as the Vice Chairman and administrative secretaries of Law, Education, Social welfare, Youth Services & Sports, Director SKIMS, IG Crime and Excise Commissioner will be its members.
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