Launching its own "war against drugs", the Captain Amarinder Singh government has directed for free treatment of drug addicts at state-run de-addiction centers.

The police has also been directed against registering cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act against "drug users".

In a communication sent to all civil surgeons, the health department has directed for ensuring free treatment for drug addicts opting for treatment at all 32 government de-addiction and rehabilitation centers in Punjab.

When contacted, the Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mahindra confirmed he had asked officials to issue the above directives.

"But I am not sure if these directions have been issued," he told The Statesman. However, highly placed sources told The Statesman that the directive for free treatment of drug addicts and no police action against drug users have been already been issued.

Currently, while indoor patients are charged Rs.200 per day during their stay at de-addiction centers.

This includes charges for their food and medicines during the detoxification course which may extend up to three weeks. After this if an addict is charged Rs.50 per day during the rehabilitation process which may extend up to two months.

"Many of the drug addicts come from poor and middle class families, so they are hesitant to take the treatment as they can't afford it. But now as the treatment for them is free, we expect more and more patients to come forward for treatment," said a senior health department official pleading anonymity.

On average, 50 to 150 patients report for treatment at out patients departments (OPD) of government de-addiction centers. But only seven to eight of them opt for the treatment by giving consent for treatment at the in patients department (IPD).

The police authorities have also been directed against registering cases against drug users. Both the above moves by Captain Amarinder Singh government are in line with the ruling Congress' election manifesto for just concluded Assembly elections.

In its manifesto, the Congress had said that of the about 45,000 cases registered under the NDPS Act, 90 per cent pertain to drug users rather than the drug peddlers or traffickers. The party manifesto had also said anyone who registers himself at district de-addiction centers, will be treated with compassion free of cost.

The previous Parkash Singh Badal government had in May 2014 launched a war on drugs in the state and nearly 29,000 were arrested during the crackdown on drug peddlers till December 2015. But most of these "drug peddlers" were reportedly drug addicts who were arrested with small quantities of drug which they were carrying for self consumption.