Himachal minister flags concern about lack of govt-run drug de-addiction centre

There is no government-run drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centre in the state, Himachal Pradesh Health minister Vipin Singh Parmar said Thursday. Parmar informed the House during the ongoing Budget Session that there are three Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA) run by NGOs in the state under centrally-sponsored "Scheme of Assistance for the Prevention of Alcoholism & Substance (Drugs) Abuse".

These centres are located in Kullu, Dharamshala and Nurpur in Kangra district, he said in reply to questions raised by Rajesh Thakur (Gagret) and Ashish Butail (Palampur). The Health Minister said a total of 443 drug addicts were treated in these centres from January 1 last year to January 15 this year.