Sopore lacks drug de-addiction centre

Sopore, Sep 16: With a surge in drug addiction, Baramulla’s Sopore town lacks rehabilitation centre, triggering apprehension that it might increase the menace further.
Irfan Ali, councillor Municipal Council Sopore accused the administration of not being serious in curbing drug addiction by opening a rehabilitation centre.
“Though Police is doing its job to eradicate the rising drug abuse in the town but at the same time drug addicts can’t be kept under custody for long. Rehabilitation centre is the only way to save the younger generation who are involved in this menace,” he added.
At least 50 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) cases have been registered since January this year.
Senior Superintendent of Sopore (SSP), Shabir Nawab said that at least 40 drug peddlers were recommended for PSA in just four months and many of them have been booked under PSA and are languishing in Jammu jails.
He said that the senior citizens can play an important role saying that without support from citizens, it is impossible to take the fight to a logical conclusion.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Dr Sehrish Asghar said that they are on it, and have identified the building for the centre. “A proposal has been sent for the drug de-addiction centre and hopefully it will be approved in this financial year only,” she added. (KNO)