No drug de-addiction centre in Gurugram

Gurugram: Despite acknowledgment by the Haryana government that consumption of psychotropic drugs is rapidly rising in Gurugram there are no drug de-addiction centres in the city. The one and only such government facility that was functioning in the government hospital was closed down after the doctor in charge of the unit was transferred to the other district.

Laying defunct for years the drug de-addiction centre was given to the gynecology department which is now utilising the room for its medical requirements. With no proper drug de-addiction centers, most of the patients who come to the Gurugram public hospital for treatment are referred to other medical institutions like in Delhi or Rohtak. In worrying trend, a lot of unregistered drugs de-addiction centres have come up in the city that is not only fleecing the patient's money but are also playing with their lives by giving them fake medicines. There have been three such centers that have been busted by the Food and Drugs Department of Haryana state.

Citing that lack of drugs de-addiction centres is a problem, the district health department is planning to open four such centers in different wards of the city. The first of these centres are going to be opened in Sector-31 polyclinic. "Not only drug addiction but there are a lot of cases that are coming of alcohol addiction. A major challenge being faced in this regard is the lack of doctors. We have highlighted the concern to the Health Minister and he has assured of finding a solution to meet this challenge. Soon, we will be opening the drug de-addiction center in Sector-31," said a senior official from the district health department.