a few shocking incidents came to light at de-addiction centres in different parts of the country. In one of the incidents, a patient died at a de-addiction centre in Tiruchy and it was reported that incorrect treatment was administered to the patient. This is not an exceptional case. Tamil Nadu is one of the states that records highest number of alcohol-related problems. But it was found that Chennai lacks proper de-addiction facilities. In major cities, most of these centres were run by NGOs. In Bhopal, more than a dozen centres are being operated by private parties and their charges some around Rs 10,000 to 12,000 per month is beyond the capacity of several families. In a State where drug menace is on upward direction and recently, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Gujarat along with Bhopal police uncovered a massive drug manufacturing racket in Bhopal. Team seized record breaking quantity. Drugs worth over Rs 1,800 crore seized from the factory near Bhopal.

 

Alcohol cases are not going down its hangover. Even Opposition party Congress had remarked the State with a tag ‘Udta Madhya Pradesh’. Amid all these, news from the Government hospital in Bhopal that JP Hospital will have an addiction treatment facility, gave a ray of hope to several addiction inflicted poor families some around three months ago. This information hit the headlines like “there will be no need to visit private centres, JP is going to start Addiction Treatment Facility, Councilor etc will be present.” This was a welcome step. It will not only address the issue of exorbitant fees but it also gave hope of specialised treatment. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, expert, Dr Dinesh Chouksey said, “Treatment facilities that demands a full time psychiatrist as patients experience both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms to handle with this qualified medicos presence is must otherwise results may be fatal, as experts opinions. So to run a centre is very sensitive task that needs proper infra as well manpower. Due to lack of expert care, many such centres rely on Antabuse drug to reform the addicts that need a great caution and monitoring, said the expert.

 

It was expected that government run center will address all such concern. But now, the facility is being started at JP Hospital, in absence of a specialised team (as The Hitavada’s report found) is being seen as a jolt to expectations of many. Innocent poor families visiting the hospital hoping their dear ones will get rid of addiction soon. But absence of experts has delayed co-ordination between two departments highlights addiction of administrative empathy and recklessness is chronic in our system that need a proper and timely treatment. A prolonged medical complication is associated with substance abuse. But to manage prolonged derailment of project, we need a system rehabilitation center. 

 

 

According to National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Addiction is a treatable, chronic disease that can be managed successfully.” This agency compares addiction to chronic diseases like diabetes or heart disease. To say the ‘disease’ can be ‘managed’ implies that it will not be overcome, it will simply be brought under control to some degree. This is a change of emphasis from rehabilitation onto treatment only, and with that shift came the pharmaceutical ‘handlings,’ to help ‘manage’ addiction. While, rehabilitating a former drug user involves first getting the person off drugs, then repairing the damage done by the drugs and the addicted lifestyle. Deaddiction Centre means a centre established under sub-section (1) of section 71 of the Act for treatment and care of persons who are addicted to alcohol or other drugs with the availability of various supporting medical care services or a unit attached to a well equipped general hospital for the treatment and care of persons addicted to alcohol or other drugs, which lead to behavioural changes in a person.