De-addiction centre to become rehab house: Mein

Our correspondent

Itanagar, May 1: As part of the anti-drugs campaign, 53 drug addicts, including five women, were de-addicted in the first phase of drug de-addiction camp, organized by the Women Welfare Society at the Drug De-Addiction Centre in Lathao under Namsai district.

The month-long drug de-addiction camp was sponsored by the Oil India Limited, Duliajan under their corporate social responsibility (CSR) scheme, an official report stated on Tuesday.

Attending the valedictory function of the drug de-addiction camp on Monday, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein lauded the women’s body for spearheading the drug de-addiction campaign in the district and for the successful de-addiction of 53 drug addicts in the first phase, thereby setting an example for others to follow.

Assuring government support in running the drug de-addiction camp on regular basis, Mein suggested converting the Lathao drug de-addiction centre into a rehabilitation centre, while citing that despite being affected with rampant drug addictions, the State still does not have a single rehabilitation centre.

Citing the shortage of manpower and skilled persons to run the drug de-addiction centre, he opined to hand it over to interested NGO or society willing to run the de-addiction or rehabilitation centre.

The Deputy Chief Minister asserted that it is high time that the agriculture and horticulture departments should be serious about the alternative crops for the poppy cultivation and further said that the departments should work in coordination with the district administration in finding suitable crops for the specific areas as well as districts for alternate crops.

He also assured to extend the package of alternate crops to the de-addicted persons and advised them never to repeat the bad habit, which is not only harmful to their life but affects their family and the society.

Local MLA cum Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Zingnu Namchoom also pledged all possible support from his side for regular functioning of the drug de-addiction centre. He said the government is concerned about the drug menace and efforts are on to accelerate the developmental process along with the farmers, women and educated youth to counter such menace, the report added.