Multan’s rehabilitation centre treats 500 addicts annually

This is the only centre in Punjab working under the supervision of the Social Welfare Department

MULTAN: Over 500 addicts, including 70% heroin addicts, are treated at local Drug Rehabilitation Centre annually.

Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Multan is the only centre across the province, working under the supervision of Social Welfare Department on Mattital Road.

Since its inception in 2011, it rehabilitated nearly 3,600 drug addicts from across the south Punjab, Shift Incharge Drug Rehabilitation Centre Abdul Maalik told APP.

He said that there were less number of rehab patients in 2011 to 2013 as people had no information regarding the center but gradually the situation improved. Maalik, however, observed that a good number of people were contacting the centre for rehabilitation of the drug addicts these days.

Replying to a question, he said that the centre offered its services for those drug addicts who were willing to get treatment. However, chronic or violent drug addicts were referred to the Nishtar Hospital. About Drug Rehabilitation Centre, he shared that 22 staffers, including MBBS doctors, nurses and other supporting staffer were working at the facility. The centre provides residence, food and clothes besides complete treatment to the inmates.

Responding to another question how many days are enough for rehabilitation of drug addicts, the official said that about two weeks were enough for rehabilitation of a drug addict. He, however, added that in some cases, they took three weeks for detoxification (treatment). About nature of drug addicts rehabilitated at the centre, Maalik maintained about 70% were heroin addicts. He said that rehabilitation of such addicts was not a difficult task. However, he hinted that there were also cases of medicines (buprenorphine, diazepam and Pheniramine, cough syrup) addicts. In such cases, the human body had become habitual of medicines and it takes more time for rehabilitation. Talking about the symptoms of drugs (medicines) addicts, he said that the addicts felt body ache and similarly, water from eyes and nose of patients start oozing out, in case they did not find drugs after regular interval.

Maalik said that rehabilitated drug-addicts started using drugs again after a period of one or two years. He added that they try their best to make complete counselling of family members of drug addicts to keep a strict check on addicts. He suggested that rehabilitated persons should be monitored properly. They should not be provided opportunity to join their previous peer group again.

The official also informed that the Punjab government  was working on a plan to impart skills to rehabilitated persons as it would not divert their attention from their past but also provide them opportunity to eke out a living.  The Punjab Social Welfare Department in collaboration with the Planning and Development Department were working jointly on the project. He hoped that rehabilitated drug addicts would be imparted skills soon.

He also urged society to play effective role to save persons from falling prey to drugs. Drug addicts should be loved and cared as it would help making them useful and productive citizens of the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2019.