Programme to be launched in Amritsar, Tarn Taran and FazilkaSeparate groundwater conservation pilot planned for Mansa and Sangrur

Chandigarh, 02 October (H.S.): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday gave in-principle approval to a pilot programme aimed at strengthening psychosocial rehabilitation alongside medical treatment for people battling drug addiction.

The initiative, to be undertaken with the Art of Living Foundation, will initially cover OOAT clinics in the border districts of Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Fazilka, besides jails in Gurdaspur and Kapurthala, according to the state government.

Chairing a meeting with a delegation of the foundation, Mann said the proposed programme would focus on spiritual wellness, counselling and strengthening the mental resolve of people undergoing de-addiction treatment. He said medical treatment alone might not be sufficient for sustained recovery and stressed the importance of rehabilitation, relapse prevention and community support.

Punjab already operates an extensive network of Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment centres as part of its harm-reduction strategy for people with substance-use disorders. Recent state figures cited 547 OOAT centres and 47 Opioid Substitution Therapy centres operating across Punjab. True Scoop

Mann said the pilot programme would supplement existing clinical treatment and would initially be implemented with support from medical personnel. The government plans to train local staff so that the programme can eventually continue without dependence on external teams.

He said the state’s anti-drug strategy would combine enforcement against trafficking networks with treatment, counselling and long-term rehabilitation. The Chief Minister also reiterated his government’s claim that action against drug suppliers and trafficking networks had been intensified under the ongoing anti-drug campaign. India Today

During the meeting, Mann also asked the Art of Living Foundation to develop a separate pilot project in Mansa and Sangrur districts for groundwater recharge and conservation. The foundation has experience in water-conservation and river-rejuvenation projects in several states. vvki.artofliving.org

The Chief Minister said farmers, students, youth and other sections of society should be involved in awareness efforts.

Highlighting irrigation initiatives, Mann said his government had laid around 14,000 kilometres of pipelines to increase the use of canal water for agriculture and reduce dependence on groundwater. Similar figures have been cited by the Chief Minister in recent public statements, although reported estimates of current canal-water coverage have varied between about 80% and 88%. The Times of India

Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha and senior officials attended the meeting. The Art of Living delegation included Vyakti Vikas Kendra India Chairman Brahmachari Pragya Chaitanya and other representatives.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH