SHIMLA: With youth falling prey to drugs, especially chitta, the state government is coming up with a centre of excellence at Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital, Tanda, Kangra district for treatment of drug addicts . The centre will have a capacity of 15 beds. A special OPD for drug addicts is already running at the medical college.Alarmed over rising instances of drug abuse among youngsters, legislators raised the issue in the state assembly recently. With even 16 and 17 year olds falling prey to drugs, especially chitta, the government is urging parents to send them to drug de-addiction centres.Three drug addicts have died over the last three years. While the government does not have data on the percentage of youth addicted to drugs in the state, 3,895 people, including women, have been arrested in drug-related cases.In 2016, 1,085 people, including 1,026 men, 53 women and six foreigners were arrested. In 2017, 1,221 people, including 1,156 men, 49 women and 16 foreigners were arrested. This year, 1,589 people including 1,520 men, 59 women and 10 foreigners have been arrested.Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur informed the state assembly that construction work on the centre of excellence would be completed by 2020. He said instructions have been issued to the director, health services to offer consultancy services for drug addicts in community health centres of each district.The state government has proposed the construction of drug de-addiction centres in Mandi, Una, Chamba, Sirmaur and Hamirpur. A decision has been taken to send a proposal to the managing director, National Rural Health Mission through the Red Cross Society for funding.There is also a proposal to set up a rehabilitation centre at the Mental Health and Rehabilitation Hospital, Shimla for people who have given up drugs.Himachal police has intensified efforts to break the supply chain, due to which recovery of drugs has increased as compared to last year. Up to November 30 last year, 280.147 gms of charas was seized in the state. The quantity increased to 443.694 kgs in the corresponding period this year. Last year, 3.397 kg heroin was seized. The figure increased to to 7.180 kg this year.

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