Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Sangrur
Two days after The Tribune highlighted how a Class XII student contracted HIV after using shared syringes to inject chitta, seven more addicts in the area have tested positive for the dreaded disease, while another four are suffering from hepatitis C.
Sources said following the news report, Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori directed SDM Avikesh Gupta and other senior authorities to conduct tests of all addicts in surrounding villages. In the last 24 hours, administrative officials and the district police traced 12 addicts in the age group of 18-23 in the area near ROB on the Sangrur-Barnala road and got them admitted in to the civil hospital’s de-addiction centre.
“Of them, four are HIV Positive and also suffering from hepatitis C, three are HIV Positive and four others have hepatitis C. Our special teams noticed them loitering around the ROB and with the help of their families, we have got them admitted to the centre,” said SDM Gupta.
He said the administration had launched an awareness drive. Special health teams would conduct door-to-door survey of surrounding villages and organise medical camps.
The DC said, “The teams will conduct tests and provide medicines to all addicts of the area with the help of their family members. We also request area residents that if they know anyone who needs medical help, they should contact us.”
Sangrur SSP Sandeep Garg has formed special teams to conduct round-the-clock raids to arrest drug peddlers active in the area.
