Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Oct 11: In a concerted effort to combat the growing menace of opioid addiction, the authorities in Baramulla district have initiated an Opiate Substitution Therapy (OST) program. This vital initiative aims to provide a lifeline to individuals ensnared by substance abuse, offering them a pathway to break free from addiction.
Administered under the aegis of the Jammu and Kashmir AIDS Control Society, the OST center in Old Town, Baramulla, is currently aiding close to a hundred individuals in their journey toward recovery. It has emerged as a beacon of hope for those determined to overcome the clutches of addiction.
Dr. Parvaiz Masoodi, the Medical Superintendent of Associated Hospital GMC Baramulla and the Nodal Officer of the OST center, explained, “We have participants who are actively undergoing therapy. They receive counseling and are administered methadone or buprenorphine, which mimic the effects of opioids without the associated addiction. This sustained therapy serves as a catalyst for addicts to break free from their dependency.”
As per official numbers, out of the nearly 100 enrolled participants, 84 are on a regular treatment regimen and are making considerable progress toward de-addiction.
Dr. Masoodi noted, “While there are those who attend irregularly, we are committed to providing treatment with the goal of liberating them from the menace. Both the participants and their parents receive counseling and support.”
Recognizing the significance of reducing stigma and encouraging more individuals to seek help, the OST center operates independently from the hospital setting.
Launched in June of this year under the aegis of GMC’s Department of Psychiatry, the OST center has garnered a positive response from residents of North Kashmir, especially those who aspire to break free from the grip of addiction or have family members seeking treatment to escape the darkness of substance abuse.
A medical professional associated with the OST center emphasized the effectiveness of the treatment, stating, “It provides daily observatory treatment, even on holidays, with strict monitoring. People are increasingly seeking the benefits of this therapy. We stress the importance of counseling for individuals trapped in drug abuse to motivate them to enroll in the program.”
While individuals engaged in substance abuse often use needles for injections, exposing themselves to the risk of HIV and Hepatitis-C, the Nodal Officer noted that the OST center is currently managing four cases of Hepatitis-C separately, providing them with the necessary treatment
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel