Latest news with #OutpatientOpioidAssistedTreatment
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab Police plans GPS-enabled anklets for drug smugglers out on bail
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Punjab Police is planning to introduce GPS-enabled anklets for drug smugglers out on bail to track their movements, the state's top cop said on General of Police Gaurav Yadav cited the example of the Jammu and Kashmir Police , which uses the wearable device for UAPA ( Unlawful Activities Prevention Act ) accused to monitor the media here, Yadav said, "In J&K, GPS tracking anklets were started for UAPA persons who are bailed out. We are examining the proposal from a legal point of view."When an accused is released on bail, there are some conditions, Yadav said, adding that after taking orders from competent courts, GPS anklets will be put on notorious smugglers out on bail to track their said it will be done on a case-by-case basis, and the right to privacy will be kept in DGP asserted that small-time drug users should not be targeted and instead be sent to drug de-addiction said the police would also focus on such drug users who have been released on bail."We have devised a system of monitoring their activities by taking village elders and panchayats into confidence. Our objective is to integrate these into the mainstream. They (drug users) will be motivated to go to OAAT (Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment) clinics and drug de-addiction centres," he station house officers will call such people to police stations, and a self-declaration will be taken from them that they will neither consume drugs nor peddle them, said the he said police will take action against repeat DGP said an artificial intelligence software will be developed to upload information regarding arrested drug smugglers in districts into centralised data for forward and backwards further said drug de-addiction centres will be started in jails for drug users, who are put behind to a question on deploying an anti-drone system to check smuggling of drugs and weapons, Yadav said the order for the system has been placed, and they are expected to be delivered by July and August. PTI
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Private psychiatrists' backing gives Punjab's anti-drug campaign critical push
Chandigarh: In a significant breakthrough for Punjab's anti-drug efforts, private psychiatrists agreed to join the state govt's flagship 'Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh' campaign, offering critical support in the face of a severe shortage of specialists, albeit with riders. Their decision came after initial reluctance and marked a pivotal step forward in expanding clinical care for those battling addiction across the state. The move is expected to substantially strengthen the state's capacity to manage the growing number of individuals seeking rehabilitation, following an intensified crackdown on drug abuse. Currently, over 10 lakh individuals are undergoing treatment at 529 govt-run Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centres and 180 private facilities. In addition, the govt added 1,200 new beds for addiction treatment in private institutions to meet rising demand. Faced with an acute shortage of psychiatrists in public health facilities, the health department turned to the private sector for help. The breakthrough came after Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh announced that private psychiatrists operating through OPDs would be permitted to dispense all approved medications for addiction treatment—including buprenorphine and naloxone—to their own patients. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Promoções imperdíveis de voos baratos Voos | Anúncios de Pesquisa Saiba Mais Undo This was a longstanding demand of private mental health professionals. Following this policy shift, the Association of Psychiatrists (AOP) conveyed their decision to "provisionally" accept the govt's offer to support the clinical management of addiction cases in govt-affiliated de-addiction facilities. However, the collaboration comes with conditions aimed at safeguarding the autonomy and interests of private practitioners. The AOP underscored several key demands: services should remain entirely voluntary, adequately remunerated, and logistically feasible; arrangements must be formalised through a detailed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) clearly outlining terms of engagement, payment schedules, notice periods, and exit clauses. Moreover, psychiatrists seek legal indemnity from complications that may arise during treatment, such as patient absconding, injury, death, adverse drug reactions, or treatment failures. The association shared a list of the doctors who expressed their willingness to collaborate along with the choice of station. Nabha-based psychiatrist Dr Rajoo Saroj welcomed the govt's broader strategy, stating, "The Punjab govt has adopted a comprehensive and community-driven approach to strengthening de-addiction treatment facilities across the state. The initiative encompasses public-private partnerships, community engagement, outpatient opioid-assisted treatment, infrastructure development, and the establishment of a centralised drug de-addiction registry portal for robust policy monitoring. These multifaceted efforts are aimed at tackling the addiction crisis in Punjab." Association of Psychiatrists (AOP) president Dr Rupinder Kapur said, "The Punjab govt approached us to support the 'Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh' campaign. Our understanding is that it seeks to empower patients by expanding treatment options and empower doctors by granting them greater autonomy, including the ability to dispense all approved medications from their OPD setups. However, the campaign's success is contingent on the govt fulfilling its commitments to both patients and doctors. The AOP is closely monitoring the govt's policy decisions, and our support will continue only if those promises are honoured." Dr Balbir Singh called the decision of private doctors to assist govt mutually beneficial. "Private psychiatrists will be allowed to dispense medicine to their own patients, while the govt will be able to expand the reach and effectiveness of its substance abuse treatment programmes," he said. BOX Call for mental health reform In addition to their support for the anti-drug campaign, the Association of Psychiatrists is also pressing the state govt for full implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act. They argue that rights-based and comprehensive treatment for drug addiction cannot be achieved without aligning existing practices with the Act. The association is also advocating for an end to the so-called "licence raj", greater clarity on govt policy in mental health, and redressal of local challenges faced by private practitioners. MSID:: 121488359 413 |
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Faridkot police's initiative: Community-driven anti-drug initiative shows promising results
The Faridkot police administration has introduced a series of groundbreaking measures aimed at curbing the rising menace of substance abuse in the district. The initiative, which involves a combination of digital surveillance, community participation and transparent policing, is gaining widespread support and showing promising results in the battle against drug trafficking. Among the key components of the drive is the digital 'thikri pehra', a modern take on the traditional community watch system. This initiative, which involves the installation of night-vision CCTV cameras and sound recording devices, has been adopted by villages like Dhilwan, where 30 surveillance cameras have been set up with plans to install 20 more. The cameras have already proven effective in tracking criminal activities, such as the recent capture of youths involved in assault and the seizure of weapons. Faridkot police have also introduced a confidential ecosystem at the district police headquarters, where citizens can anonymously report information about drug suspects. Envelopes are provided at the SSP office for individuals to drop in tips, which are then opened by SSP Pragya Jain herself, ensuring confidentiality and immediate action. As of mid-May, the police have registered 198 drug-related cases, with 21% of them directly stemming from tips received from the public through the Safe Punjab helpline. These inputs have led to the arrest of 427 criminals, including 22 major drug smugglers and 380 peddlers since March. Community leaders play key role The police have roped in 1,353 community leaders, who are working through local committees to raise awareness and support the fight against drug abuse. The collaborative approach between the police and community members has been instrumental in making significant strides. One example is the village of Dhilwan, where local youth helped in installation of CCTV cameras procured at a cost of ₹8 lakh from government funds, said chairperson of the Faridkot district planning committee Sukhjeet Singh. In addition to tackling drug trafficking, Faridkot's police have also been proactive in addressing the issue of illegal de-addiction centres. A total of seven unlicenced centres have been shut down, the highest number in the state. Support for addicts While the crackdown on drug suppliers and traffickers is in full force, the Faridkot police have emphasised a compassionate approach to those struggling with addiction. Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Pragya Jain, who is also a qualified ayurvedic practitioner, has made it a priority to treat addicts with care and medical attention. Two constables who fell victim to substance abuse themselves have been supported through de-addiction programmes and allowed to return to duty after completing their treatment. Rising success of OOAT clinics The ongoing efforts have led to an increase in the number of people seeking treatment at Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics. Official data reveals a jump in outpatient numbers from 21,683 in February to 26,010 in April, signalling that more individuals are opting for de-addiction support. Public and civil society support The initiative has garnered praise from various quarters, including members of the civil society, professionals, and residents. Praveen Kala, president of the Sahara Service Society, noted that the recent arrest of notorious drug supplier Aman Arora, who had long evaded police action, has significantly improved the police's credibility and reduced local crime such as chain-snatching and vehicle thefts. Former sarpanch Gurtej Singh echoed these sentiments, highlighting the effectiveness of coordinated efforts, as seen in the packed de-addiction centres and increasing attendance at OOAT clinics. Director general of police Gaurav Yadav, during his visit to Faridkot in April, praised the district's efforts, stating that Faridkot has emerged as the most efficient in implementing community participation in the state's 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' (War Against Drugs) campaign. SSP Pragya Jain said: 'We have a zero-tolerance policy against anyone involved in the drug business. However, we also ensure that those who are addicted are treated with the compassion and medical support they need to overcome their addiction.'
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Amid surge in OOAT admissions, staff shortage proves a handicap
With the number of patients visiting government-run Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics seeing a rise amid the Punjab government's anti-drug campaign, a shortage of psychiatrists and counsellors is proving to be a handicap. There are only 45 psychiatrists for 542 OOAT clinics across the state, and many districts lack even a single psychiatrist. Similarly, with just 216 counsellors across the state, many clinics do not have a single counsellor, despite the health department's norm of two counsellors per clinic with a daily OPD count over 100. Psychiatrists play a crucial role in monitoring the dosage of recovering drug addicts, conducting inspections of OOAT clinics, and approving the enrolment of new patients into the programme. As per information, drug addicts visiting OOAT clinics had seen a two-fold rise since the state government launched the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' (War against Drugs) campaign in the last week of February this year. While 816 patients had registered in the month of February, it went up to 1, 391 in March, and 1, 168 in April, as per the data accessed by HT. As per officials, the numbers could have been higher if there were enough psychiatrists, who give the final approval to enrol new patients into the programme. In all, 10 lakh patients across the state have registered in OOATs since these were launched in 2017. Parminder Singh, state president, Government De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Employees Union, Punjab, said, 'The anti-drug drive will not be successful unless the manpower requirement at OOAT centres is not met. Without adequate psychiatrists and counsellors, treatment of drug addicts is severely affected.' A senior official said that the government had already initiated the process to hire 343 clinical psychologists (counsellors) while efforts are on to hire psychiatrists. 'The government is very serious about hiring the required manpower to fulfil the vacancies. We have a shortage of psychiatrists, but we will soon hire a psychiatrist too.'
