Uttarakhand: Dhami government will take action against illegal de-addiction centres operating in the state, Health Secretary said – checking will be done in collaboration with police, campaign will be run in every district

Many such de-addiction centres are being run across the state which neither meet the prescribed standards nor follow the legal process of registration. As a result, the process of care, mental health and rehabilitation of the patients admitted in them has been under question. Now all this will not work. The intention of the state government is clear, either meet the standards, or close down. In this sequence, an important meeting was held between senior officials of the State Mental Health Authority and Senior Superintendent of Police of the State Task Force (STF) Navneet Singh, in which a detailed strategy was discussed regarding the process of identification, investigation and closure of such unregistered and illegal de-addiction centres.

STF in cooperation, monitoring will be intensified in every district

STF teams will now actively cooperate with the State Mental Health Authority and district level inspection teams. In the coming days, the pace of surprise inspections will be intensified in all the districts.

Substandard centers will not get exemption

The State Mental Health Authority is ensuring that all centers running without valid registration are identified, financial penalty and legal action should be taken against such centers, action for immediate closure should be ensured. This entire process will be conducted under the Mental Health Care Act. Joint Director Dr. S. D. Burman and Assistant Director Dr. Pankaj Singh were present on behalf of the State Mental Health Authority in this important meeting. An agreement was reached to ensure action in coordination between all the concerned agencies.

No compromise on quality – Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar

Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar has given clear instructions that all de-addiction centers operating in the state should be continuously monitored. Those who are not fulfilling the minimum standards set by the Central Government, prompt and strict action should be taken against them. He said that the intention of the state government is clear, there will be no compromise on the quality of mental health services and rehabilitation centers. It is being ensured that all de-addiction centers do not become mere “shelter homes”, but work towards complete rehabilitation.

Dhami government’s commitment is clear

Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the administration, health and police departments are working together on an aggressive strategy to get the state out of the clutches of drugs. The government’s intention is clear, if Uttarakhand is to be made drug-free, then the de-addiction centers will have to be strengthened and made accountable as per the standards. This campaign will not be limited to inspection only, but strict administrative decisions will be taken in public interest, so that a full stop can be put on the irregularities going on under the guise of de-addiction.