Delhi needs more rehab centres for minors
DRUG DEMON Experts say street children most vulnerable to addiction, call for more infrastructure to fight abuse, hiring more psychiatrists
Delhi government has earmarked 30 beds — five each in six of its major hospitals — for treatment of juvenile drug addicts during the last year. It has also established a 30-bed model de-addiction centre in Deep Chand Bandhu hospital this year.
This was announced in this year’s budget speech by deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.
The move came after an intersectoral co-ordination committee recommended creation of more infrastructures to combat drug abuse in the capital.
“With the creation of more de-addiction facilities, there will be a focus on demand-reduction of illicit drugs. As the drug controller, we also keep a tab on prescription drugs being sold illegally to children,” said Mrinalini Darswal, a member of the committee.
Before this, there were no dedicated beds for the treatment of children and adolescents and everyone was admitted to the general psychiatric wards in government hospitals, such as Institute of Human and Behavioural Sciences (IHBAS) and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
Recognising the gaps in the system, the committee also said that there is a scarcity of psychiatrists and trained manpower and posts of clinical psychologists have been lying vacant for a while. “There are only about 4,000 – 4,500 psychiatrists in the entire country, not all of whom are involved in de-addiction treatment. You can imagine the kind of shortage we face. Clinical psychologists and counsellors are also scarce,” said Smita Deshpande, head of the department of psychiatry at Ram Manohar Lohia hospital.
The committee also pointed out that there were no intervention programmes for street children. “Street children are the most vulnerable because they do
Street children are the most vulnerable because they do not have social support, many do not have family. And with tobacco products and alcohol being readily available, they tend to get addicted.
not have social support, many do not have family. And with tobacco products and alcohol being readily available, they tend to get addicted. These may also act as gateway for other drugs,” said Deshpande.
According to the draft findings of an AIIMS study of street children in Delhi, more than 20,000 children consume tobacco, more than 9,000 consume alcohol, around 8,000 use inhalants, and more than 5,000 use cannabis. And, the age at which they start is as low as 9 years.
In India, 3.6% people used illicit drugs during the previous month, according to a 2004 report of United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime. Of the 8.7 million who used cannabis in India, 25.7% were addicted and of the 2 million who used opiates, 22.3% were addicted, according to the report.