The local Akal Drug De-addiction-cum-Rehabilitation Center has been proving to be a boon since July, 2004, for drug addicts of not only the Malwa belt and other parts of the state, but also for drug addicts of neighbouring states like Delhi and Haryana. The de-addiction Center is being run here by the Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib (Himachal Pradesh). Indoor patients are being looked after by two doctors, six pharmacists and nursing assistants and two ward boys at the Center
The Center started its functioning from the local Gurdwara Janam Asthan Sant Attar Singh ji, but in September, 2007, it was shifted to a newly constructed building inaugurated by S. Sukhbir Singh Badal (Member of Parliament & acting President of Shiromani Akali Dal). New building of Akal De-addiction Center inaugurated at Cheema Sahib
Though the building has a capacity to accommodate 35 drug addicts as indoor patients, there are 31 drug addicts under treatment nowadays. The indoor patients are normally treated here for a period of six weeks for medical, psychiatric, nursing and psychological care.
A 16-year-old boy from Bharri Mansa village (near Dhuri) started taking smack during the last Assembly elections and became a habitual addict of the smack. He started spending Rs 500 daily on smack, which he got from family members by quarrelling with them. He said he had been purchasing smack from a nearby village. Whenever he failed to secure smack, his body felt restlessness. He said after coming to this Center, he had gained 8 kg weight during the past five weeks.
Another 35-year-old married man who came from Chottian village (near Lehragaga) to the Center, said he had been consuming excess liquor for the past 20 years, besides consuming poppy husk for some time. In June last year, he was admitted to the Center as a drug addict and he remained there for about two months. Now he was in good health, he added.
Bhai Jaivinder Singh of Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Cheema Sahib (near Sunam), said since July, 2004, about 700 drug addicts had been treated as indoor patients by the Center, while about 1,500 drug addicts had taken treatment as out-door patients till now. He further said the Center had benefited patients, who had come here from the areas of Muktsar, Delhi, Nabha, Phagwara, Moga, Mansa, Sirsa, Barnala, Fatehabad, Patiala, Bathinda etc.
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