Srinagar, June 9: In two years, more than 3000 drug addicts have been treated in the police drug de-addiction centre in Srinagar. In the same period, officials said, 5000 patients have been seen in its Out Patient Department. But the worry is that those who were treated might fall prey to drug addiction again.
 “Once they leave from this place after proper treatment and try to live normal life they continue to face social stigma because of their past,” says Dr Muzaffar, Consultant Psychiatric of the Centre during an interaction programme with patients, police officers and doctors. 
 He said number of former addicts have been denied right to normal life by the society.
 “This must change,” he added.
 “For 30 years I was drinking. And, I was drinking heavily. But after I was brought here, and admitted for 30 days, I recovered. Now I am on follow-ups. Instead of encouraging me, people often remind of my past by telling whether I really recovered,” said a 42 year old resident of Safakadal.
 “I was sniffing the correction fluid for some time outside the home. But then I realized I can use it in the home as well. My parents came to know about it and tried their best to motivate me to get rid of menace. But when they failed they brought me here. I have given it up and now I am path of recovery,” said 11th class student from uptown Srinagar.
 Dr Waqar, Psychiatrist at the de-addiction centre said “children of good schools are in habit of using the correction fluid for addiction.”
 He said there was need to create awareness among parents and students.
 The in-door patients said easily availability of drugs in the market encourage drug-addiction in Kashmir. They said number of people have opened de-addiction centres and were doping people in the name of treatment.
 “In one de-addiction centre at Khanyar I was tortured,” said a patient. The Senior Superintendent Police Javid Farooq who has taken charge two days ago assured that Police Department would increase the bed strength of the centre from eight to 15.
 Presently, he said, some 130 patients were on waiting list. “We are trying our best to fix the problem. The centre is getting referrals from SKIMS, SMHS, and Psychiatric Disease Hospital. It speaks volumes about the work of the centre,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST