Whip cracked against rogue de-addiction centres

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 24 : Director of the Social Welfare Department Sheikh Abdul Hakim has assured actions to address rights violations targeting drug users and vulnerable sections of the society apart from directing the department's officials to take strict action against de-addiction centres involved in illegal activities, including abduction and wrongful confinement of drug users. He instructed the officials to suspend registration of such centres by cross examining the statement of the victims of such crimes.
The instructions of the Director came during a meeting with representatives of Union of Treatment and Rehabilitation of Users for Social Transformation (U-TRUST), an apex body of 47 registered private drug de-addiction centres held at the Imphal Hotel today
The Director further assured the U-TRUST that a dedicated drug cell will be opened at the department at the earliest, and informed that the department is currently overseeing 22 different schemes and considering streamlining its activities through the use of technology.
Informing about the potential launch of a web portal to upload data of TRUST centres, the Director also maintained that the department is exploring avenues to provide skill development training programmes for patients seeking drug treatment.
The department will consider providing financial support to registered TRUST centres after consultation with the higher ups, assured the Director, and encouraged U-TRUST to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister regarding its grievances and proposals on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26.
The meeting also discussed plans for organising free detoxification camps for 300 drug users from impoverished backgrounds. The meeting was organised under the theme “Enhancing Service Delivery and Co-ordination between Department of Social Welfare and TRUST centres.” The Deputy Director and District Social Welfare Officers of 11 districts and the representatives and office bearers of U-TRUST attended the said meeting. During the meeting, U-TRUST urged the Government and its relevant departments to address the issues of human rights violations targeting drug users, open a State-run drug treatment facility for female drug users.
It also pushed for greater involvement of U-TRUST at all levels of drug related platforms constituted by the State particularly the Manipur Psychoactive Substances Control Authority, State Technical Committee and District Technical Committee under the Manipur State Policy on Psychoactive Substances, 2019. The meeting also discussed plans for organising free detoxification camps for 300 drug users from impoverished backgrounds.