Capt invites NRI doctors, psychiatrists to set up de-addiction centres
Thursday, 05/05/2016
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Chandigarh : Former Punjab Chief Minister and PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh has offered to provide NRI Punjabi doctors, specially psychiatrists and therapists, infrastructure to set up de-addiction centers within the existing government hospitals in all major cities of Punjab, once Congress is voted to power in the state.
Addressing a large gathering of Punjabi diaspora from Central Califonia at Fresno on Tuesday, Capt Amarinder urged the NRI doctors to work in partnership with him for the rehabilitation of several lakh drug-addicted Punjab’s youths. “We would provide you with infrastructure in the existing government hospitals in Patiala, Amritsar, Ludhiana and Jalandhar and all other facilities so that you don’t need to waste time in constructing buildings and clinics,” he said, adding that all he needed from them was their expertise for the rehabilitation of Punjabi youths.
Regretting that Punjab only has 11 psychiatrists on role, Capt Amarinder said counselling is a major part of de-addiction process and psychiatrists and therapists have a crucial role in treatment and prevention of mental, emotional and behavioural disorders of addicts. “We need your help to get our youth back in the mainstream,” he said.
Capt Amarinder said he had a very fruitful discussion with a group of Fresno-based Punjabi NRI doctors, who were willing to help, without even charging any money, but were apprehensive of the redtape and lengthy formalities required to start such operations. He said he had assured them that if Congress were voted to power, they would face no such problems.
Responding to questions, Capt Amarinder said he would have a three-pronged strategy to stop sale and distribution of drugs in Punjab. “Firstly, we would take strictest action against manufacturers and distributors of synthetic drugs and if needed, we would involve the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax authorities to break their backs,” he said, adding that this all would done within the first four weeks of his government.
He said he would also push for formulation of a comprehensive National Drug Policy to end ambiguity of state laws.
