The Sangrur administration’s initiative to bring drug addicts into the mainstream has come as a ray of hope for such people who can now prepare for competitive exams and opt for various skill-building courses during their treatment at the Ghabdan village drug addiction center in the district.
Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal officially launched the initiative at the center on Wednesday where drug addicts can also take short courses including electrical and mobile repair. A library and a gymnasium have also been set up at the center to help them.
Jorwal said the initiative was taken with the aim of providing them with job opportunities in the future and integrating them into the mainstream.
“Qualified and educated young people will now be able to prepare for competitions, including those for the railways, the army and the SPPC. Books and related materials from their preparation have been made available at the center,” he said.
The initiative was launched with the help of the Rural Self-Employment Training Institute, Sangrur, which will provide training for drug addicts to develop skills through these courses to earn a living after their recovery.
The administration came up with the idea after two youngsters, undergoing treatment at the centre, worried about their uncertain future and asked the administration for help.
“A young person, who had done a bachelor’s degree in engineering, in treatment at the center, was worried about his future. He wanted to make a positive change in himself before he could go home. Likewise, a youth of around 24, who unknowingly started using drugs even before his B.Sc. exams, also had hope for a better future,” Jorwal said.
“Therefore, to help these young people, we enlisted in the Rural Self-Employment Training Institute and started these courses at the drug rehabilitation centre,” he said.
