Raid at rehabilitation centre reveals violations

FATEHGARH SAHIB: Inhumane conditions at the rehabilitation centres surfaced during the Thursday raid at Attewali village. It was found that the inmates at "Generation Safe Foundation Drug De-Addiction Centre" were administered habit-forming injections so as to keep them visiting the place for good time. On complaints of violations of norms, Fatehgarh Sahib civil surgeon Gurmale Singh Chahal carried out the raid.
The team discovered that addicts were often beaten up by the authorities, and the centre defaulted on the rules and regulations of the health department. They found that the owner was licenced to run just the rehabilitation centre but also operated the de-addiction centre.
Civil surgeon Chahal said: "Rather than helping addicts get over with their problems, the centre authorities injected them with habit-forming drugs." The inmates told the raiding team that they were beaten up for no reason and there was no psychologist and paramedical staff. They said the centre had just 14 beds though 27 addicts had been admitted for treatment.
When contacted, deputy commissioner of Fatehgarh sahib Yashvir Mahajan said the centre's licence has been cancelled and an immediate closure ordered. The owner could not be contacted.