In the last few years, there has been a mushroom growth of private rehabilitation centres of alcoholics and substance users in Manipur
Yet many of them seldom follow the guidelines mandated under Treatment and Rehabilitation of Users for Social Transformation (TRUST).
So far, 32 such private rehabilitation centres have been de-registered and closed for not adhering to the prescribed guidelines.
Manipur is one of the states in India which has a high incidence of people affected by psychoactive substance use. To tackle all aspects of psychoactive substance use, the state government had framed the 'Manipur State Policy on Psychoactive Substances, 2019'.
Following the policy, a provision has been made for the establishment of adequate number of treatment centres or strengthened to ensure proper treatment of psychoactive substance users.
To streamline and regulate non-funded de-addiction centres, private rehab centres need to be registered under Treatment and Rehabilitation of Users for Social Transformation (TRUST) and follow its prescribed guidelines.
In Manipur there are a total 86 rehabilitation centres, out of which 26 are government run centres, 56 are private but registered under the Social Welfare department. One is for juveniles run under IRCA, two for women and one for third gender.
Director of Social Welfare Ng Uttam said, non-funded de-addiction or rehabilitation centres should mandatorily be registered under the Department of Social Welfare.
Before giving registration, these private rehabilitation centres were inspected and assessed on the existence of mandatory requirements of a centre as mandated under TRUST, he explained.
He further said that there is a state level authority called Manipur Psychoactive Substance Use Control Authority (MaSSUCA) which is headed by the Chief Minister as chairman while members include NGOs, academicians, police officers, legislators, all line departments representatives.
There are technical committees at the district level to monitor and evaluate the programmes.
Director Ng Uttam said the 32 private rehab centres were de-registered for not adhering to certain guidelines during monitoring.
Many of these private centres either do not have doctors or counsellors in station, no provision for separation of alcoholics and substance users, proper and hygienic kitchen or toilet and above all a proper environment of a rehabilitation centre, he added.
A rehab centre should have at least 12 staff members including doctor and counsellors in a 30 bedded centre and in a 50 bedded centre there should be 18 staff members.
On reports of some groups forcibly picking up alcoholics or substance users and dumping them in the private centres, Director Uttam said, although there are unofficial reports on such incidents, adequate action could not be taken for lack of official complaints from family members.
In some cases, before any departmental action could be taken up, family members and rehab centre managers had already negotiated and brought a compromise between themselves.
There are also unofficial reports of alcoholics and substance users being tied up with ropes during the detoxification process in some centres. But so far, no official complaints have come, he said.
Responding to a query if any amendment in the policy is needed the Director said that there is no need for amendments. However, changes in the guidelines and adding penalty provisions is needed.
