Shaurya Sharma
Fatehgarh Sahib, April.27, 2020: The lock down has proved to be blessings in disguise for the drug addicts as large number of them have perforce to abjure consuming drugs as the supply of drugs have been blocked and they are rushing to the de-addiction center for rehabilitation. It shows that the back of drug supply have been broken in the state, said Dr. N.K.aggarwal Civil Surgeon.
He said that during the lock down period approximately 1350 drug addicts got registered with Out Patients opioid Assisted Treatment ( OOAT) clinics and drug de-addiction centers in the district., which is a welcome step. He said responding to the occasion Balbir Singh Sidhu Health Minister has directed to increase the working hours of OOAT clinics and drug de-addiction centers from 8AM to 5 PM and has also directed to set up special counters for registration, so that they may not have to stand in long queues.
He said that special team of psychiatry doctors’ check and brief them about the treatment and motivate them to shun drugs. He said besides this they are also checked up for cough, temperature and flu. They are briefed about COVID-19 threat and awarded how to save from this dreaded disease by maintain social distance and remaining at home. He said that health department has made special arrangement of medicines and now they are given medicines of 21 days and strictly directed to remain at home.
He said that health department has set up 104 help line number all the patients have been given this number if they feel any difficulty they can call on this number and health department team will visit them.