Speaking in the Punjab Assembly, Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh has presented surprising figures regarding the state government’s ongoing campaign for de-addiction. Singh said on Wednesday that 80-90 percent of drug addicts who get treatment in Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics in the state relapse.
He said that there is also a shortage of psychiatrists in the government-run OOAT centres. The minister gave this statement while answering the question of Congress MLA Dr. Rajkumar Chabbewal in Punjab Assembly. The Congress MLA had asked about the number of OOAT clinics in Punjab and the patients enrolled in the government and private sector.
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The Health Minister said that there are currently 529 registered OOAT clinics in the state. He said, ‘So far, about 276131 patients in government centers and about 667327 patients in private centers, a total of 943458 patients have been registered for treatment. ” Asking a supplementary question on the same issue, the Congress MLA asked how many of these patients completed their de-addiction treatment in OOAT clinics and how many successfully got rid of the drug.
Recidivism rates very high
He said that the first objective for the patients coming to OOAT clinic is to shift them from injectable drugs to oral replacement therapy so that the harm is reduced. The second objective is to ensure de-addiction of these patients. About 60-70 percent of these patients become drug free, but the rate of relapse is very high.
Health Minister blamed the circumstances
The Health Minister said that in about 80 to 90 percent of these, drug addiction recurs because their circumstances remain the same. After quitting addiction, these people go back to the same circle of friends. For this, we have prepared a new strategy under the mental health policy which is being revised.
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