Imphal, April 04: Even if many drug users are desirous of giving up the habit and get the much needed treatment in some rehabilitation centres, thus indicating success of the mass awareness drive being launched by various pressure groups against problem of drug and alcoholism in Manipuri society, lack of adequate accommodation facilities in these centres has created a serious problem.

Over and above this, there are many drug users as well who are desirous of kicking the habit but cannot afford the money for admission and undergoing treatment at the rehabilitation centres, thereby compelling them to remain dependent on drug.

Under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), Government of India, there are in all 21 rehabilitation centres in Manipur.

But in the absence of any policy of the State Government to rehabilitate drug abusers, many of them are still floundering in an effort to give up the habit.

Out of the 21 rehabilitation centres, six are located in Imphal West, four each in Thoubal and Churachandpur district, two each in Imphal East and Senapati district and one each in Ukhrul, Chandel and Bishnupur district.

There is no rehabilitation centre in Tamenglong district.

At the time of admission to any of these rehabilitation centres a client has to foot the required bill for medical investigation, treatment and monthly fee for the mess.

Various pressure groups are today launching mass drive against abusing drugs and alcoholism and those who have been rounded up are made to apologise to the people along with the pledge to give up the habit through mass media.

However, such display of public apology and pledge is not the solution for kicking the drug habit for someone who has already been addicted.

They need to undergo treatment at some rehabilitation centres so they could be weaned away from the habit and brought to the mainstream.

Apart from this, there is no other possible panacea for curing the problem of drug abuse or rehabilitating the addicts, observed a member of a pressure group which is launching drive against the menace of drug abuse and alcoholism.

Talking to The Sangai Express, people who are running the rehabilitation centres or working in the field of eliminating the problem of drug abuse/alcoholism as well as those who are desirous of giving up the habit of drug abuse came up with their insight and observations on the issue.

Project Director in-charge of Divine Life (a rehabilitation Centre) L Romen Sharma pointed out that out of the 21 rehabilitation centres in Manipur, there are only four centres which have thirty beds and the remaining 17 others have just 15 beds each.

Moreover, a drug addict who has been admitted to a rehabilitation centre has to stayed for minimum 40 days and for three months at the maximum to complete the treatment course.

So the total number of 375 beds in these rehabilitation centres is not enough for looking after the needs of the burgeoning number of drug abusers.

Romen further informed that for a drug addict to undergo treatment at the Divine Life, a client has to pay a sum of Rs 2500 in the first month itself.

The said amount include admission fee and the medical investigation of physical condition of the patient.

However, the family members concerned have the option of conducting the investigation elsewhere before the admission.

As for fooding arrangement, the client has to pay a sum of Rs 1500 every month.

Although there are 30 beds in Divine Life, currently 40 clients are undergoing treatment at the rehabilitation centre.

The situation is also same at the New Divine Life being run by the organisation where 26 clients have been admitted as against the actual existing number of 15 beds.

The excess number of clients has been admitted due to great pressure for overwhelming number of drug addicts, he said, while admitting that taking more number of clients than the existing number of beds caused lots of inconveniences.

Annie Mangsatabam of the Shine De-Addiction Centre, Thangmeiband informed that there are 30 beds in the rehabilitation centre although 35 clients are staying at present.

On an average, 3 to 4 people are coming every day for admission to the centre.

So many of the clients who are below 30 years of age have registered their names awaiting discharge of the clients who are undergoing treatment, she added.

A Heroin (No.4) addict disclosed that a person who has been addicted to No.4 experiences lot of physical pain ranging from sleeplessness to salivation, vomiting, sweating, fever and pain inside the veins, when they could not get the drug.

It is because of the inability to bear such pain that an addict is likely to start taking the drug once again and procure the same at any cost.

Some of the drug addicts who are desirous of giving up dependent on drugs have also fervently appealed for admitting them to some rehabilitation centre for proper treatment and have also sought the support of all the stakeholders in general and the family members in particular.

They have also drawn the attention of the State Government for formulating a separate policy for rehabilitating them along with setting up adequate number of rehabilitation centres and providing the necessary infrastructures.

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