Rehab centres boom as drug users feel the heat

By Rajesh Khongbantabam *

A number of Rehab centres have sprung up across Manipur and the absence of a mechanism to monitor such centres, coupled with the importance of enhanced community participation in tackling drug abuse, needs to be addressed.

This became evident when several centres were forced to shut down temporarily by a civil society group. Manipur has a rich culture of social activism spearheaded mainly by women known as 'Meira Paibees' who work towards eradicating so called 'social evils'.

The 'war on drugs' has been intensified with the emergence of numerous pressure groups and anti-drug organizations resulting in the imposition of zero tolerance policies. As much as the eradication of social evils demands stringent moral policing, there is a need for understanding and empathy for the tendency of users towards dependency.

The provision of Rehab centres and an in flow of aid to the state, as promised by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, is not really the answer to the problem. Ensuring that rehab centres maintain minimum standards of service is a greater priority.

A second-look at the treatment models adopted by the centres is also needed as the expected rates of recovery are low in comparison to the amount of funds allocated.

The crusade against drug abuse in the state is not new but has been promoted since the late 1980s when the government favoured police crack downs against users followed by jail terms commonly known as "Police Model".

The approach of this system is essentially penal rather than reformative and is based on the stance that people using drugs are barriers to social reformation.

As HIV cases began to be diagnosed in the state, a preventive support system involving Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, government bodies and other stakeholders was developed along with attempts to educate drug users and strengthen intervention programmes.

Social scientists point out that the number of rehab centres is on the rise and there is some concern that the clinics are not living up to their responsibilities. Almost every area of the state has a rehab centre. But, the numbers are not important. The main thing is determining whether they are providing a service or running a business.

The only way, one can remove or minimize addiction is through intensive counselling along with complementary psychosocial support. Other help can comes in later.

As we are all aware, specific interventions aimed at reducing the demand for drugs and preventing the spread of HIV should be sustained by a supportive environment in which healthy lifestyles are both promoted and accessible.

Treatment services need to be readily available and flexible and a range of treatment alternatives, including substitution, need to be offered to respond to the different needs of drug users'.

Many people agree with the idea that NGOs and Rehab-Centres need to launch grassroots initiatives to better address the needs of drug users adequately and in a more comprehensive manner.