Mohalla clinics to help children say no to drugs
New Delhi: After identifying over 25 places in the Capital where cases of missing children and children being abused are high, the Delhi government mohalla clinics have come forward for rehabilitating children living in the streets.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) have roped in these clinics to offer treatment and counselling from experts to the most vulnerable children.
DCPCR said that it studied the situation of crimes against children situation in Delhi and identified over 25 areas.
"We conducted a comprehensive study from 2015 to 2017 and found that Ranhola, Narela, Samaypur Badli, Shahbad Dairy, Jaitpur, Neb Sarai, Khajuri Khas, Sagarpur, Jahangirpuri, Bhalswa Dairy, and Mehrauli were among 20 areas prone to missing children cases," said DCPCR official Rita Singh.
She added that Aman Vihar, Nihal Vihar, Mangolpuri, Begumpur, Kalyanpuri, Narela, Anand Parbat, New Ashok Nagar, Malviya Nagar and Ghazipur are among the 20 places where child abuse cases are high.
There are also several locations in Delhi where both child abuse and missing children cases are frequent.
She further said that a major reason behind crimes against children and children themselves committing crimes is drug abuse. In all these areas, nearby mohalla clinics will help children quit drugs.
"The children don't know where to go for treatment and mohalla clinics are close to them; so we roped them in. With treatment, these children will also get counselling on issues related to health from experts at the clinics on Saturdays and this will be celebrated as Adolescent Day," said Singh.
If required, the mohalla clinics would refer vulnerable children to city hospitals for further treatment, added the DCPCR member. The initiative was launched at a mohalla clinic in Seemapuri.
The concept of using mohalla clinics for the purpose of drug de-addiction of children was first mooted by NCPCR.
"It helps children in de-addiction as mohalla clinics are very close to children living in the streets," said NCPCR member Rupa Kapoor. According to another official, children generally inhale fluids, which damages their bodies heavily.
