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Time of India
27-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Punjab govt signs MoU to set up data intelligence support unit for its anti-drug campaign
Chandigarh: The Punjab government on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ananya Birla Foundation to set up a data intelligence and technical support unit. The MoU was signed between the government of Punjab and Dr B R Ambedkar Institute of Medical Sciences, Mohali, and Vidyasagar Institute of Mental Health, Amritsar, and the Ananya Birla Foundation. Addressing a gathering, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said this initiative is part of the ongoing war against drugs being led by the state government. This initiative of establishing the data intelligence and technical support unit marks a significant step in combating the drug menace in the state. He said this MoU is part of the broader efforts by the Punjab government for drug prevention and rehabilitation. Mann said the anti-drug campaign 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' has snapped the supply line of drugs adding that once this is disrupted, rehabilitating the affected individuals becomes extremely crucial. To support individuals in overcoming addiction and help them live a life of dignity, the government is not only establishing rehabilitation centres equipped with various facilities, but also providing medical care, education, and employment opportunities, to prevent relapse into drug use, he said. In the second phase of the anti-drug campaign, a comprehensive model of psychosocial care is being implemented through the data intelligence and technical support unit, Mann said. This unit will technically assist the anti-drug campaign by enhancing the capacity of medical officers, psychologists, police personnel, and frontline health workers, he stated. The unit will also focus on developing effective strategies to tackle rehabilitation challenges, ensure the smooth functioning of OOAT (Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment) clinics, and strengthen outreach efforts to the community, he said. The CM said it will play a crucial role in making Punjab a drug-free state, adding that the centralized intelligence unit will provide concrete data on de-addiction, rehabilitation, and OOAT patients, helping in designing and implementing informed policies. Mann said experts from institutions like AIIMS' National Drug Treatment Centre, IIT Ropar, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, and PGIMER Chandigarh will provide timely support to this unit. The unit will work collaboratively with the Anti-Narcotics Task Force of Punjab Police, health department, employment generation, skill development, and training departments, as well as organisations and academic institutions related to mental health, rehabilitation, and data science. He said the Ananya Birla Foundation will provide support for the technical capabilities and resources of this unit. Mann said this programme will operate on a hub and spoke model, based on the centralized technical unit, where five medical colleges in Patiala, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Faridkot, and Mohali will act as cluster resource centres. He said that this is the fight for coming generations and cannot be won without the support of the common man.
Economic Times
26-06-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Punjab govt signs MoU to set up data intelligence support unit
TNN The Punjab government on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ananya Birla Foundation to set up a data intelligence and technical support unit. The MoU was signed between the government of Punjab and Dr B R Ambedkar Institute of Medical Sciences, Mohali, and Vidyasagar Institute of Mental Health, Amritsar, and the Ananya Birla Foundation. Addressing a gathering, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said this initiative is part of the ongoing war against drugs being led by the state government. This initiative of establishing the data intelligence and technical support unit marks a significant step in combating the drug menace in the state. He said this MoU is part of the broader efforts by the Punjab government for drug prevention and rehabilitation. Mann said the anti-drug campaign 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' has snapped the supply line of drugs adding that once this is disrupted, rehabilitating the affected individuals becomes extremely crucial. To support individuals in overcoming addiction and help them live a life of dignity, the government is not only establishing rehabilitation centres equipped with various facilities, but also providing medical care, education, and employment opportunities, to prevent relapse into drug use, he said. In the second phase of the anti-drug campaign, a comprehensive model of psychosocial care is being implemented through the data intelligence and technical support unit, Mann said. This unit will technically assist the anti-drug campaign by enhancing the capacity of medical officers, psychologists, police personnel, and frontline health workers, he stated. The unit will also focus on developing effective strategies to tackle rehabilitation challenges, ensure the smooth functioning of OOAT (Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment) clinics, and strengthen outreach efforts to the community, he said. The CM said it will play a crucial role in making Punjab a drug-free state, adding that the centralized intelligence unit will provide concrete data on de-addiction, rehabilitation, and OOAT patients, helping in designing and implementing informed policies. Mann said experts from institutions like AIIMS' National Drug Treatment Centre, IIT Ropar, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, and PGIMER Chandigarh will provide timely support to this unit. The unit will work collaboratively with the Anti-Narcotics Task Force of Punjab Police, health department, employment generation, skill development, and training departments, as well as organisations and academic institutions related to mental health, rehabilitation, and data science. He said the Ananya Birla Foundation will provide support for the technical capabilities and resources of this unit. Mann said this programme will operate on a hub and spoke model, based on the centralized technical unit, where five medical colleges in Patiala, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Faridkot, and Mohali will act as cluster resource centres. He said that this is the fight for coming generations and cannot be won without the support of the common man. Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Punit Goenka reloads Zee with Bullet and OTT focus. Can he beat mighty rivals? 3 critical hurdles in India's quest for rare earth independence HDB Financial may be cheaper than Bajaj Fin, but what about returns? INR1,300 crore loans for INR100? Stamp duty notice to ArcelorMittal, banks. Stock Radar: Titan Company breaks out from 3-month consolidation; check target & stop loss for long positions For risk-takers: More than bullish, be selective; 5 mid-cap stocks from different sectors with an upside potential of up to 38% Multibagger or IBC - Part 12: If transition is successful then there is no limit. But there is a big 'IF' These mid-cap stocks with 'Strong Buy' & 'Buy' recos can rally over 25%, according to analysts
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Smugglers exploit delays at opiod assisted treatment centre amid misuse of Pregabalin
ROPAR: Delays and overcrowding at the Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centre in Ropar have sparked serious concerns. Drug smugglers are reportedly exploiting the chaos to openly sell banned drugs to recovering addicts. Notably, a pilot project for digitised patient registration is underway at the centre. According to on-ground investigations by TOI, patients queued up for hours to get medicines, with some often returning empty-handed due to delayed registrations. The resulting frustration has created a vacuum that smugglers are filling with illegal sales of high-dose 'Pregabalin' capsules - a medicine often misused by addicts despite its sale being prohibited without a prescription. "Although Pregabalin is yet to be covered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, its usage has been restricted, especially the high dosage, and it cannot be given without a doctor's prescription. It falls under the category of 'sedative'. We will get the matter checked and take appropriate action against anyone involved in this," said Gulneet Singh Khurana, SSP, Ropar. "The recovering addicts, failing to get medicines, can take an overdose of Pregabalin to get immediate relief from pains. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The patient can also get addicted to Pregabalin. Only buprenorphine is the appropriate drug to treat the addicted patients under the supervision of a doctor. Consumption of such drugs without medical guidance can prove dangerous for recovering addicts who may become addicted to it," said a Ropar psychiatrist. Outside the Ropar OOAT centre, smugglers were found selling 300 mg Pregabalin capsules for Rs 200 to Rs 300 per strip of 10. When approached by this TOI reporter as a decoy customer, one smuggler said: "I only have two strips left as all others have been sold out. Each costs Rs 250. If you want both these strips, I'll give you each for Rs 230." However, the final deal was struck for Rs 200 per strip. A recovering addict in the queue shared his ordeal while assuming TOI reporter to be just another patient. "I have been standing for hours, but my turn still hasn't come. A day before yesterday, I returned empty-handed as the window closed before I could register," he said. Health officials fear the situation could snowball into a major crisis if immediate steps were not taken. They are now urging the simplification of the digital portal and the deployment of more human resource to manage patient inflow. "In Punjab, Pregabalin was once commonly used by veterinarians to treat horses for nerve pain. Its popularity among addicts, who call it 'Ghode Wale Capsules' (capsules for horses), stems from its intense psychoactive effects. Despite its medical use for nerve pain, epilepsy, anxiety disorders, and opioid withdrawal, the misuse of Pregabalin, particularly the 150mg and 300mg doses, has escalated in Punjab. These formulations are widely known among addicts by the street name 'Signature', referring to a popular brand," said a doctor. In Sept last year, all district magistrates in Punjab banned the sale and stocking of Pregabalin above 75mg to tackle its misuse, and the crackdown targeted wholesalers, medical shops, and even hospital pharmacies. Following this, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav directed district police chiefs to enforce the ban strictly and conduct regular inspections. However, without a legal classification under the NDPS Act, enforcement remains a challenge.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Drug fight: Punjab's plan to allow private psychiatrists to dispense buprenorphine faces legal hurdle
1 2 Chandigarh: An ambitious initiative by the Punjab govt to widen access to drug rehabilitation by allowing private psychiatrists to dispense buprenorphine has run into a legal roadblock. Health minister Dr Balbir Singh recently announced with much fanfare that private psychiatrists would be permitted to provide buprenorphine—a critical medicine used in opioid dependence treatment—to patients at their OPD clinics. The move was seen as a breakthrough to bridge the treatment gap amid a crippling shortage of psychiatrists in the public healthcare system. However, the proposal now faces a major roadblock: a 2019 stay order by the Punjab and Haryana high court on a directive issued by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) that would have enabled private OPD clinics to dispense buprenorphine. The court's interim order has resurfaced as a legal barrier, throwing a spanner in the govt's efforts to broaden access to opioid substitution therapy. With Punjab battling a severe drug crisis, particularly among the youth, the need for wider treatment access has never been more urgent. Currently, nearly 10 lakh individuals are undergoing treatment at 529 govt-run Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centres. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Espalhe a sua marca para milhares de pessoas Balinhas Personalizadas Solicite orçamento Undo To further expand coverage, the state announced plans to open 41 new OOAT clinics across 10 districts. In addition, 180 private rehabilitation centres are already functional across the state. Following the health minister's announcement, the Association of Psychiatrists "provisionally" agreed to assist in managing addiction cases at govt-affiliated de-addiction centres. In response, the Punjab health department constituted a committee of experts—including representatives from the Association of Psychiatrists, the advocate general's office, and senior health officials—to explore legal avenues. In its first meeting, the committee resolved to file an application in the high court seeking vacation of the stay order. This is not the first time legal ambiguity derailed policy progress. In Aug 2020, the Punjab cabinet amended state rules to allow private psychiatric clinics to dispense detoxification medication under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985—a longstanding demand of private practitioners. Yet by 2021, the govt rescinded this provision, citing legal opinion from the advocate general's office, though other amendments were implemented. Health principal secretary Kumar Rahul confirmed that the govt is actively evaluating all options to implement the revised dispensing policy. "A committee of experts has been formed and is examining all relevant aspects, including legal avenues," he said. The Association of Psychiatrists welcomed the department's efforts but warned that the absence of a concrete timeline and uncertain legal outcomes made it difficult to offer "unconditional" support. "A lot of time has already passed. Without clarity, it will be hard to engage the psychiatric community for long," the association stated. It further contended that the stay order does not explicitly prohibit implementation of the amended rules, and that the govt's own OOAT centres continue to dispense the same medication under similar legal uncertainty. "We are ready to assist the govt, but not at the cost of being misled into believing this is a favour—when it's a rightful provision," the body said, adding that individual psychiatrists must now weigh the risks of relying on delayed govt action. EXPERTS PUSH FOR EVIDENCE-BASED ADDICTION CARE Public health specialists, including the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS), have repeatedly criticised Punjab's existing de-addiction model as outdated and ineffective. The IPS has called for treatment to be aligned with evidence-based protocols, particularly the routine use of buprenorphine, and urged that addiction care be brought under the Mental Healthcare Act for better regulation and patient outcomes.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab Police plans GPS-enabled anklets for drug smugglers out on bail
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Punjab Police is planning to introduce GPS-enabled anklets for drug smugglers out on bail to track their movements, the state's top cop said on General of Police Gaurav Yadav cited the example of the Jammu and Kashmir Police , which uses the wearable device for UAPA ( Unlawful Activities Prevention Act ) accused to monitor the media here, Yadav said, "In J&K, GPS tracking anklets were started for UAPA persons who are bailed out. We are examining the proposal from a legal point of view."When an accused is released on bail, there are some conditions, Yadav said, adding that after taking orders from competent courts, GPS anklets will be put on notorious smugglers out on bail to track their said it will be done on a case-by-case basis, and the right to privacy will be kept in DGP asserted that small-time drug users should not be targeted and instead be sent to drug de-addiction said the police would also focus on such drug users who have been released on bail."We have devised a system of monitoring their activities by taking village elders and panchayats into confidence. Our objective is to integrate these into the mainstream. They (drug users) will be motivated to go to OAAT (Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment) clinics and drug de-addiction centres," he station house officers will call such people to police stations, and a self-declaration will be taken from them that they will neither consume drugs nor peddle them, said the he said police will take action against repeat DGP said an artificial intelligence software will be developed to upload information regarding arrested drug smugglers in districts into centralised data for forward and backwards further said drug de-addiction centres will be started in jails for drug users, who are put behind to a question on deploying an anti-drone system to check smuggling of drugs and weapons, Yadav said the order for the system has been placed, and they are expected to be delivered by July and August. PTI
