Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 26: Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather today said DHSK is coming up with six Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATF) in district hospitals in collaboration with National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS.
“The work on this project is going on. These centres would be soon established,” he said.
“We are sitting on a volcano of substance use. Our society has moved from soft to hard drugs in a short span and being in denial about the same is catastrophic,” he said.
“From a medical point of view, we recognize the problem and are taking steps for mitigation of the same. We need to fight this issue from multiple sides,” the director said.
“Substance Use Disorder patients will not need to travel to Srinagar for their treatment; it will be available to them in their districts through proper and professional way, which will include medical management and counselling,” Dr Mushtaq said.
He said the foremost thing is that parents should talk to their children and communicate with them. “They should not let them be in isolation. Parents should see how their children are studying, behaviour patterns. They should seek medical help if needed,” he said.
The Director said from society level Masjid committees, Gurudwara committees, Mandir committees they should also play their part in counselling and identifying these people and seeking help.
“Those involved or affected by the drug abuse should not be left alone or stigmatized. Instead, they need our love, care and affection so that we help them in coming out from addiction,” the director said.
He requested all stakeholders to fight this menace from multiple dimensions.
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