Punjab De-Addiction Registry
Source: Indian Express
GS II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
Overview
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- News in Brief
- About theDe-Addiction Registry
- Conclusion
Why in the News?
The Punjab Government is planning to launch a drug control policy.
News in Brief
- A key component of this policy is the Punjab De-Addiction Registry, a centralized platform designed to monitor and manage patient registration across various Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) and private centers.
- Punjab has been grappling with a severe drug addiction problem, with a significant number of young people falling prey to substance abuse.
- To address this issue, the state has established 303 drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centers, including private centers, and 590 OOAT clinics.
- However, the lack of a unified system for tracking patients and ensuring the quality of care provided has been a major challenge.
About theDe-Addiction Registry
- Tracks treatment progress across 590 Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics and private centers.
- Ensures accountability in dispensing detox medicines, preventing misuse.
- Integrates a secure data vault for Aadhaar-related information to protect patient privacy.
- Includes around 10 lakh substance abuse patients, with 7 lakhs treated in private facilities.
- Monitored by a State Steering Committee led by the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary as nodal officer.
Benefits and Impact
- The centralized system aims to prevent the misuse of detoxification medicine, improve patient care, and streamline drug supply chain management.
- By closely monitoring the dispensing of medicine to patients at treatment centers, the government can ensure accountability and reduce the scope for malpractice.
- Additionally, the registry allows patients to avail follow-up treatments at any center, eliminating duplication and maintaining consistency across OOAT and private centers.
Conclusion
- The Punjab De-Addiction Registry is a promising initiative that has the potential to transform the state’s approach to tackling drug addiction.
- By providing a unified platform for tracking patients and ensuring the quality of care, the registry can play a crucial role in creating a drug-free future for Punjab.
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