Drug users appeal

IMPHAL, May 8 : The Drug Users’ Federation for Human Rights and Justice (DUFHRJ) has urged drug rehabilitation/treatment centres operating in the State to immediately stop 'forced pick up and abduction' of drug users from the streets.
The federation, in a statement issued today, mention- ed they had met representatives of 15 rehab centres located in Langol and Mayang Imphal areas and deliberated on the drawbacks of such 'unethical and nefarious' activities following which a consensus was arrived to abstain from any activities that are against ethical drug treatment protocols.
Saying that the federation will meet other rehab centres operating in the State once the onslaught of COVID 19 second wave subsides, the DUFHRJ contended that many drug treatment centres operating without knowing the clear concept and knowledge of substance use treatment is unfortunate.
It is crucial to understand that drug treatment is a complicated process right from the intervention stage to the integration of substance users in the society after completion of a treatment programme and the consent of substance users including their immediate family is indispensable. However, instead of focusing on the treatment efficacy and evidence based treatment approach, a culture of admitting large number of inmates usually after abducting from the streets has become the norm of the day, the federation asserted.
Claiming that exchange of money among rehab centres and certain local clubs/organisations/police personnel, who act as middlemen or brokers to supply drug users to these centres are becoming a normal and acceptable practice, the statement maintained that the impact on drug users will be far reaching  if such 'illegal' and immoral practices are not stopped immediately by relevant stakeholders and sensible public.
Further mentioning that the majority of drug users in the State are in their formative and productive years, it added that any misconduct while dealing with them (drug users) could do irreparable damage and jeopardise their lives in various aspects.
It is also the moral responsibility of the society to identify and curb the cause of drug use instead of targeting the drug victims, continued the statement, claiming that some drug rehabilitation centres are still practicing forced pick up and abduction of drug users from streets at a time when the state is reeling under the raging pandemic of COVID 19 second wave.
Alleging  that these forced pick up and abduction are being carried out in collusion with certain local clubs, organisations and section of the law enforcing agencies, the federation   stated that there are reports of forced admission to rehabilitation centres by picking up drug users from streets at Bishnupur, Thoubal, Imphal East, Imphal West particularly at Moirang, Sora, Kshetrigao and Mayang Imphal areas.
On October 5 last year,  25 out of 37 inmates of a drug de-addiction centre at Kakching Makha Leikai were found Covid infected, it reminded and urged  all concerned to cease forced admission of drug users at rehab centres.  
Further appealing to all concerned to abstain from malpractices in the name of drug treatment, the federation cautioned that they will be compelled to take up appropriate action deemed fit if victimisation and exploitation of drug users for monetary or other personal gain continues.