MSF proposes CCCs for Covid positive drug users
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 28 2021:
Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) HQ Drug Affairs secretary Oinam Premdas Khuman has urged the authority concerned to open a Covid Care cum Drug Treatment facility for drug users (DUs) who have tested positive for Covid-19 and provide them with detoxification treatment and counselling facility, in addition to treating them for Covid.
In a release, Premdas appreciated the government for opening a special drug de-addiction and treatment camp for 33 street-based drug users after testing them for Covid-19 and handing them over to rehabilitation centres.
However, an alleged drug user who had tested positive for Covid-19 recently escaped from a centre, which highlighted the need for a separate Covid Care Centre (CCC) cum Drug Treatment facility for drug users.
Thus, he urged the government to open one such centre and provide them with detoxification and counselling facilities.
Stressing the need to assess why the number of street-based drug users is increasing exponentially in the state, the MSF secretary further urged for looking out for their welfare including ascertaining from where and how the drugs are being obtained/sold.
The drugs users, who are forced to spend nights on the roads should be either shifted to rehabilitation centres or send back to their respective homes for recovery.
The prevailing situation has now raised the question whether the number of drug users is increasing in the state or not in view of the fact that despite the efforts made by many to curb this social evil, a number of drug users could be spotted in public places, he remarked.
"It should be ascertained under whose authority poppies are continuously being planted in Manipur", he added, while stressing the need for a system to control the street-based drug users and prevent the youngsters from copying their behaviours, thus saving them from the influence of drugs.
Stating that the government cannot accomplish much by solely focussing on street-based drug users and those coming to abuse drugs at North AOC with the aim of preventing Covid-19, Premdas suggested that the government widen its focus to cover the whole state and avoid developing a misconception that the drug users are solely responsible for spreading the coronavirus.
"Those selling illegal drugs on mobile in localities are the bigger reason for the spread of the virus", he said, adding that any misinterpretation on the matter will just be putting another burden on top of the pandemic.
Further urging the rehabilitation centres which are receiving government funding to provide treatment to drug users who do not have the means of availing the same, the secretary also urged for taking in the users only after testing them.
Premdas then appealed to the rehabilitation centres, NGOs and community based-organisations receiving funds from the Social Welfare Department to accept the demands made by MSF Affairs on Drug Use Prevention and translate them into action, while assuring that the students' body will provide all necessary support in this regard.
Any government-funded rehabilitation centres wanting to take in the drug users and local clubs and families wanting to seek help for them could contact MSF's helpline numbers- 9315225487 and 7005318926, he informed.
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