Delhi govt forms panel on drug addiction

The Delhi government has formed a panel to suggest ways to tackle the drug menace and expand de-addiction facilities.
The four-member committee, comprising the secretaries of Social Welfare department, Health department, one doctor from AIIMS and representative of an NGO, that was formed last week, has been asked to submit a report.
The panel, that has already held a meeting, has also been asked it to reach out to vulnerable groups such as street children found in and around Connaught Place and Nizamuddin among other areas and suggest ways to rehabilitate them.
"The panel will also chart ways on expanding medical facilities for addicts - in terms of outpatient as well as inpatient departments in hospitals and health care centres. Its focus will also be on sensitising teachers across schools to nip the menace in the bud," a senior government official said.

The Social Welfare department is the nodal agency that coordinates the measures undertaken by various governmental and non-governmental agencies in this regard.
The government runs a de-addiction centre at its shelter for beggars at Lampur, located in the northern outskirts of the national capital.
This assumes importance as Delhi's ruling AAP has repeatedly targeted the BJP-SAD alliance in Punjab over its "failure" to handle the widespread use of drugs, especially among the youth. Punjab is going to poll early next year.