K-P targets rehab of 5,000 drug addicts

CM approves extension of drive across all districts; orders action against drug peddlers

PESHAWAR:

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has approved the extension of the mass rehabilitation programme for drug addicts to all districts of the province, directing that the model applied in the provincial capital be replicated by customising it in accordance with the local perspectives and needs.

The project is aimed at mass-scale rehabilitation of drug addicts in the province and would be implemented under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) at a total cost of Rs500 million with an estimated target to rehabilitate 5,000 drug addicts during the next two years.

Chairing a high-level meeting in this regard, Chief Minister Khan directed the quarters concerned to take pragmatic steps to launch the programme simultaneously in all divisions of the province within the next two weeks, focusing especially on making the convalescents useful and responsible citizens.

Briefing about the various aspects of the programme, the meeting was informed that the project will be implemented in three different stages, including data collection & profiling, execution & rehabilitation and engagement of convalescents to turn them into responsible citizens.

After complete detoxification of drug-addicted patients, they will be treated and rehabilitated under the direct supervision of expert psychologists, qualified doctors and other allied staff along with providing them food, clothing, hygiene kits and opportunities for engaging in recreational and sports activities.

Additionally, a complete socio-economic model has been proposed which is inclusive of skill development and vocational courses, aimed at providing livelihood opportunities to the rehabilitated patients.

The forum was informed that formal sendoff ceremonies would also be arranged for convalescents, in which they will be provided with the required documents and skill-based toolkits.

Similarly, in order to ensure implementation of the program in its true sense, steering committees will be formed at provincial, divisional and district levels whereas bi-monthly progress review would also be held to resolve any issues instantaneously.

Briefing about the progress made so far on the rehabilitation campaign launched in the provincial capital, Peshawar Commissioner Mahsud informed the forum that under the campaign, a total of 1,079 patients have been rehabilitated completely, whereas 925 drug-addicted patients are currently under treatment which is undoubtedly a great achievement.