U-TRUST rues injustice to drug users
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 26 2024:
Union of Treatment and Rehabilitation of Users for Social Transformation (U-TRUST) has sought attention of the government authority towards injustice meted out to drug users.
In a statement, the Union said that prevalence of drug abuse has increased significantly in the state in the last four decades as the state has become a major route and hotspot for illegal drug trafficking.
In such a situation, there are several funded and non-funded rehabilitation centres.
Even though the government had formulated a standard guidelines for private drug treatment/rehabilitation centres, many such centres are joining hands with some organisations to scout drug users and keep them in their centres.
Apart from creating financial problems for the families, many of these centres are treating the drug users in inhumane manner including assault, confiscation of phones and vehicles among others.
In view of injustice meted out to drug users in violation of the guidelines issued by the social welfare department, the union appealed to the government authority concerned to look into the matter at the earliest.
It also appealed to all to refrain from victimising drug users and instead treat them as patients of psychological health condition but not as criminals.