Jalandhar: Spreading awareness against drug abuse

Jalandhar: For the past 12 years, 70-year-old Chaman Singh, the project director of the Red Cross Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts, has been spreading awareness against drug abuse among people, especially the youth. The centre is fighting the battle against drug abuse in its own way. Singh has treated over 3,500 inmates so far. “I know how they should be treated and how much love they need,” he told The Tribune. Chaman Singh retired as a Punjabi master from a government high school in 2012. When he was thinking of focusing on his passion for writing after retirement, he joined the rehab centre. The centre receives financial grants from the Union Ministry of Social Justice. Several awareness camps are also organised in various villages.

When the inmate is discharged from the centre after undergoing treatment for over a month, the centre staff visits his home to ensure that he does not fall into the trap of drug abuse again. Currently, the centre has 15 staff members, including counsellors, nurses, ward boys and peer educators. However, the centre needs a permanent psychiatrist to take care of the inmates and interact with them on a daily basis. A yoga expert also comes to the centre who makes the inmates do exercises to calm their minds. Chaman Singh said that in his 12-year association with the centre, he has heard many depressing and sad stories, but some stories stuck with him. 34-year-old Honey (name changed) was in college when he started taking drugs. His father sent him to Saudi Arabia so that he could work there and get out of this deadly trap.

Honey worked as a driver for five years and did not consume drugs, besides earning a good amount. Sadly, this respite did not last long. On returning home, he met some drug addicts and fell into drug addiction again. After spending all the money on drugs, Honey realised his folly. He could not even afford the Rs 1,200 for his daughter’s vaccination. Rajinder (name changed) suffered a severe electric shock at the age of 17. His hands had to be amputated. His parents left him with his maternal uncle and moved to Greece. Rajinder began to suffer from loneliness and befriended some boys who pushed him into drug addiction. “Now we want a bigger place where we can also organise outdoor activities for the inmates,” said Chaman Singh.