STF and SMHA to conduct joint inspections of de-addiction centres in Uttarakhand

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVIC | Dehradun

The Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) will conduct inspections of de-addiction and rehabilitation centres in association with the State Mental Health Authority (SMHA). The STF will also take action against unregistered centres operating in the State. The senior superintendent of police of STF, Navneet Singh Bhullar said that the move is part of the ongoing Devbhoomi Drug-Free Campaign being run by the Uttarakhand government. In line with the campaign, various departments have been directed to work in coordination to control drug supply and demand in the region. He informed that a joint meeting was held at his office on Monday which was attended by the officials from the SMHA, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The joint director of SMHA Dr SD Burman, assistant director Dr Pankaj Singh, NCB zonal director Dev Anand and assistant drug controller Dr Sudhir Kumar were present during the discussion. The SSP said that it was decided that upcoming inspections at de-addiction centres will be led by SMHA teams and STF. These teams will check whether the centres are complying with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued in Uttarakhand. A lab technician will also accompany the team to conduct urine tests of patients to assess the effectiveness of treatment. Local police will provide additional support during the inspections, he said. Bhullar also informed that 136 de-addiction centres are registered with the SMHA. However, according to STF inputs, over 200 such centres are operational in the State. Authorities will identify and act against those centres which have not yet registered. The meeting also stressed coordination between the FDA, NCB and STF. A joint inspection plan will be implemented for pharmaceutical companies in Uttarakhand involved in storing or using precursor chemicals and psychotropic substances. All involved departments will work together to disrupt the drug supply and demand networks across the State, Bhullar said.