Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Majhi on Thursday announced that de-addiction centres will be set up in each district for rehabilitating drug addicts and allocated Rs 20 crore for the programme in the budget. As a part of the de-addiction program, the govt will take steps for education, treatment rehabilitation and social inclusion of addicts. Majhi also mentioned in his budget speech that Rs 10 crore will be given to each block as an incentive for total prohibition.
Last month, Nityananda Gond, the minister for social security and empowerment of persons with disabilities, had endorsed a liquor ban in the state (though the excise department later clarified that the govt has no plans to ban it) and hinted that the govt would bring down the consumption of drugs.
Kanhu Charan Behura, a city-based prohibitionist, said, “Consumption of illegal drugs is increasing in the state and our youths are slowly becoming addicts. The govt’s initiative will help our youngsters.”
Padma Charan Nayak, another city-based prohibitionist, said, “We have been requesting the govt to stop the sale, supply, manufacture and consumption of alcohol and illegal drugs in the state. So these de-addiction centres is a welcome step.”

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