K-P to keep rehabilitated addicts under vigilance

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has decided to keep a strict watch on the drug addicts who have been successfully rehabilitated recently under the Drug Free Peshawar drive.

On the instructions of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Rs50,000 in aid will be provided to each rehabilitated individual to help them financially.

Families have also been directed to keep a close eye on these individuals and inform the Drug Control Room immediately if they relapse into addiction.

A formal affidavit has been obtained from the families, binding them to monitor the rehabilitated individuals and bring them to rehabilitation centres for medical check-ups every 15 days.

To prevent these individuals from relapsing into addiction, a special squad comprising the Social Welfare Department and police has been formed.

Starting on Monday, this squad will visit various areas of the city and transfer individuals struggling with addiction to rehabilitation centres.

Those who relapse will also receive free treatment for six months. In this regard, agreements have already been made with rehabilitation centres.

Moreover, those suffering from mental health issues will receive treatment at their homes.

Specialist doctors from rehabilitation centres will visit these people every 15 days to provide treatment.

Punjab's rehabilitated individuals will be handed over to the Punjab government on Monday. In this regard, contact has been made with the Punjab Social Welfare Secretary.

Similarly, Afghan nationals will be handed over to the Afghan Consul General in Peshawar on Monday as well.

A lengthy meeting was held under the chairmanship of Peshawar Division Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud to discuss these arrangements.

The meeting was attended by Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Sarmad Salim Akram, Social Welfare Director Rafiq Mohmand, Social Welfare District Officer Noor Muhammad Mehsud, and administrators and specialist doctors from rehabilitation centres.

It may be recalled that in January this year, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur had decided to include the rehabilitation of drug addicts in the Sehat Insaf Card scheme, and directed that a case be prepared and presented to the provincial cabinet for approval.

Once approved, rehabilitation centres for drug addicts will also be included in the Sehat Card panel, ensuring a more effective and organized rehabilitation process.

This decision was made in the first meeting of the Provincial Task Force on Anti-Narcotics, held with the Chief Minister in the chair.