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| Sunday, 03 August 2003 |
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Short-term Action Plan for treating drug offenders by CAROL ALOYSIUS A significant increase in the number of drug addicts seeking voluntary treatment to help them kick their bad habit for good, has forced health authorities to review the current facilities available for rehabilitating offenders and draw up an alternative Action Plan to deal with the problem. According to statistics in the newest Handbook of Drug Abuse Information published by the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB), a total of 4,107 persons were treated for drug abuse last year. Although the number was less than the previous year where over 7,000 persons had sought treatment, the figures are four times the number treated in 1998. "In view of the large number of patients voluntarily seeking treatment, a short-term Action Plan will be drawn up by the Ministry of Health to deal with the immediate problem. On a long-term basis, the Department of Health will be responsible for co-ordinating and giving guidance to the development and maintenance of a comprehensive national treatment program for drug dependents," states the latest publication of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board in its Handbook of Drug Abuse Information 2003. Reiterating the importance of a holistic approach to treating drug addicts by integrating the process of treatment and de-toxification with rehabilitation and after-care, the handbook further spells out other services to be made available in the treatment of drug offenders. These will include; the setting up of more free treatment facilities for those seeking voluntary treatment; supporting treatment/de-toxification with counselling , educational and other back up services; and enlisting the co-operation of the non-government sector as far as possible in such activities. The handbook also states that legislation will be enacted and facilities will be provided "for compulsory treatment where appropriate". |
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