Death of inmate at private rehab centre on Jun 2
Shut doors on all office bearers of centre : KKL
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 07 2022:
The Kangleipak Kanba Lup (KKL) has resolved to close down the Revive Drug De-Addiction Cum Rehabilitation Centre at Utlou indefinitely over the death of an inmate on June 2 and barred all the staff of the centre including its owner on engaging in any rehab related activity.
A press release issued by KKL claimed that Lukram Ningthou alias Sanjoy (32) from Nambol died due to alleged harassment by the staff of the centre.
It also urged the Government to look into the matter and initiate legal action against the perpetrators so that such incidents don't recur.
KKL also informed all the rehabilitation centres to not engage the staff of Revive Drug De-Addiction Cum Rehabilitation Centre in their activities under any circumstances.
Claiming that instances of criminal activities have been rising at drug de addiction centres in Manipur, KKL asked who will take responsibility for the transgressions which put inmates in a difficult position.
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Continuing that substance use disorder is a disease, KKL questioned the rationale of establishing a rehabilitation centre if the drug addicts are continuously exposed to mistreatment or harassment.
KKL also said that such misconduct on the part of rehab centres will discourage the drug users to go for treatment.
Maintaining that similar incidents as that of June 2 will recur if the Government doesn't intervene and regulate the operation of rehab centres, KKL claimed that many drug de addiction centres in Manipur don't have proper infrastructure or knowledgeable staff to run the centre.
Asking if the State Government has formulated any guidelines to run the drug de-addiction centres in Manipur or given the liberty to the latter so as to operate the centres as per their fancies and whims, KKL said the needed measures ought to be taken up.
KKL further stated that picking up drug users without the consent of their family members, mistreatment of addicts by the law enforcing agency and seeing them (drug users) as commercial assets by the rehab centres are some of the lapses which need to be addressed at the earliest.
Stating that KKL will monitor the functioning of rehab centres in Manipur closely, it urged all the rehab centres to work in accordance with the War on Drugs campaign of the State Government and focus on helping addicted individuals recover from addiction disorders.