CoNE calls for regulation of drug de-addiction, rehab centres
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 01 2019: Taking strong note of the complete silence of the authorities concerned over violation of human rights of drug users, the Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE) has resolved to file a complaint to Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) seeking immediate inquiry and intervention regarding the death of inmates/clients in rehabilitation centres in the State.

Addressing a press meet held yesterday at their Palace Compound office, CoNE president RK Nalinikanta said that the NGO will pressure the Commission to scrutinize whether the drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres in the State are complying with the rules and regulations set by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE), GoI.

Nalinikanta asserted that there have been numerous incidents of violation of human rights of drug abusers, including death of clients in rehabilitation centres in the State since the past many years.

Saying CoNE, since its inception in 2011, has been keeping strict vigil on such incidents, he informed that the NGO has sought attention of the authorities concerned, including Social Welfare Department to look into the matter and regulate all privately run rehabilitation centres in the State.

He pointed out that the mushrooming of de-addiction and rehabilitation centres in the State without following proper guidelines is one of the major factors for the violation of rights of the users and death of many inmates in the centres.

"Many of the drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres in the State are established with the sole objective of earning money.

The manpower, conditions and infrastructure in such rehab centres are pathetic and most of the centres are not following the guidelines given by MSJE," he said.

In order to address this issue, CoNE has even submitted a representation to the Social Welfare Department Director, he further said and added that CoNE has also approached the authorities concerned to formulate a State specific guideline to be followed by the rehabilitation centres.

Four recommendations including - building of mechanism for proper capacity building of staff in rehabilitation centres, regulation of private rehabilitation centres by Social Welfare Department and framing a State specific minimum standard guideline to be followed by privately run rehabilitation centres were adopted at a consultation programme which was jointly organized by various NGOs and State Legal Services Authority and Social Welfare Department in 2017, Nalinikanta said.

Most of concerned authorities had assured execution of the proposals made by CoNE.

However, none has ever translated their assurances into action even today, he lamented.

Informing that there are at least 49 rehabilitation centres in the State, Nalinikanta urged the Social Welfare Department and other authorities concerned to tie up with NGOs and civil society groups working in the field of drug related issues to inspect quarterly or monthly all the existing rehabilitation centres.

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