The state-run dispensaries in rural areas of Punjab will now double up as the drug rehabilitation centres.

Disclosing this, the Rural Development and Panchayat minister, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa said dispensaries falling under the Rural Development Department, Punjab, would also discharge their functions as the drug rehabilitation centres as per the Mission Tandarust Punjab in the villages.

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The doctors deputed in these dispensaries and the para medical staff would treat the youth addicted to drugs, Bajwa said.

He said keeping in view the purpose to eliminate drugs from the villages of Punjab the merger of these dispensaries with the Health Department has been put on hold for one year.

The minister also clarified that the doctors who want to join Health Department as per their wish they won’t be stopped.

Bajwa further said that the state government under the leadership of the Chief Minister Amarinder Singh is working with full commitment to eradicate drug menace from the state and the Rural Development department would play a major role in this task.

The minister further said that before putting the rural doctors on the job of eradicating drugs five day workshops would be organized to train the rural doctors how to give treatment to drug addicts.

He also said that the rural development department would provide necessary funds to the rural dispensaries for this purpose.

The minister further added that the doctors deputed in the villages would provide treatment to the youth who are addicted to drugs and provide counseling to them so as to enable them to become good citizens. Besides this, the staff and the doctors of these dispensaries would conduct seminars at village level to raise awareness against drugs.

Bajwa also added that the rural development department would make available funds for the purpose of purchasing medicines and all other requisite stuff. The minister also exhorted the doctors as well as the staff and the nurses of rural dispensaries to work with utmost dedication to rid the state and its youth of the drug menace.