Rehab centres of Mangaluru fight a protracted battle against the menace of drugs

While Dakshina Kannada district administration and police are focusing on law and order issues related to narcotics, the healthcare sector and private rehabilitation centres are looking at sociological and psychological aspects

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It took nearly two months for Mangaluru resident 27-year-old Manoj (name changed) to even realise that he was hitting his mother badly under the influence of narcotic drugs. Following several days of medication and sessions with therapists in which the mother also participated and told Manoj about the way he behaved, Manoj stopped consuming drugs. He is now working in a firm in Dubai.

Guruprasad and his wife Beena Saldanha, who run Born Again Recovery Centre, which is among the 12 private rehabilitation centres working in Dakshina Kannada, take the instance of Manoj to illustrate that each person addicted to drugs takes his or her own time to self realise the harm he/she is inflicting on themselves and to their family members.

Drawing from own experience

“For some, this realisation comes early and they stop taking drugs. With some, there will be relapses. There are also instances where medication has continued for life to keep them away from drugs. We try to build confidence in the addict that he/she can restrain from addiction one day at a time, all through his life,” said Guruprasad. “This is my own experience. It is the admission of taking the wrong path and the resolve to stay away from substance abuse that changed me. I am passing on my experience to rehabilitate other drug addicts,” he adds.

Rehabilitation of those using narcotic drugs and other substances has been going on for several years in Mangaluru. It gained strength and received importance in July 2023, when the district administration, in association with Mangaluru City police and Dakshina Kannada police, started the “Drug-free Dakshina Kannada” campaign. The campaign assumes focus and special significance as students from across the country come to study in pre-university, medicine and other professional courses in the institutions in the district.

In 11 months of 2024, 136 drug peddlers were arrested and 976 drug consumers were booked by the Mangaluru police. A total of 182.718 kg of drugs worth ₹7.25 crore were seized.

Early detection

While the police are focused on booking cases against narcotic drug consumers and peddlers, the district administration is engaged in strengthening the mental health care set-up to enable early detection of depression, psychosis and other mental illnesses resulting from substance abuse. “Early detection of mental illness and treatment is necessary to nip substance abuse in the bud,” says C.M. Sudarshan, the modal officer of District Mental Health Programme.

Under Mano Stairya initiative of district administration, anti-drug cells have been opened in 410 government and aided high schools, 61 PU, 34 degree, 16 engineering, one B.Ed and one Law college. A teacher/lecturer has been appointed as nodal officer for each cell. Regular refresher sessions are held by mental health experts to identify symptoms and subject the student for treatment, he says.

Counsellors trained in mental health issues and associated with Rashtriya Kumara Swastya Karyakrama hold regular counselling sessions in government and government-aided schools and colleges. “If there is a request, counselling is also done at private institutions,” Dr. Sudarshan adds.

Mental health camps

Regular mental health camps are held across the district by teams comprising psychiatrists, psychologists and staff nurses. Every Monday the camp is held at the Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) in Lady Hill, Mangaluru. On every second and fourth Monday of the month, the camp is also held at Mangaluru District Prison. On the third Monday, it is held at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Mulky. On the first, second, third and fourth Tuesdays, camps are held at Taluk Hospitals in Bantwal, Puttur, Belthangady, and Sullia, respectively. Every first, second, third and fourth Fridays, camps are held at CHCs in Kadaba and Moodbidri, and in UPHCs in Ullal and Uppinangady, respectively.

Dr. Sudarshan said healthcare personnel at the taluk hospitals and CHCs are trained to treat mental health issues resulting from the consumption of liquor, drugs and other substances. Those needing specialised treatment are referred to private hospitals attached to the taluk hospitals or to the Government Wenlock Hospital.

Special kits for detection

The government health care centres now have kits that are used to test persons brought by the police on suspicion of cannabis consumption. Private medical colleges are doing free of cost the urine tests of suspects brought by police to find out about consumption of narcotic drugs.

Prajakta Rao, the psychiatrist working under the District Mental Health Programme, said majority of mental health issues dealt at the camps and at government health care centres were related those resulting from consumption of alcohol. Those under influence of alcohol are given detoxification and anti craving drugs and put on motivational sessions to bring them out of alcohol consumption.

On the other hand, those addicted to drugs and other substances are given antipsychotic medication for nearly a year. Counselling sessions are held for the victim and caretakers of his/her family. During these sessions family members are made aware of symptoms of relapse of drug consumption and ways in which family members can prevail upon the victim to stop consuming drugs, she says.

As rehabilitation of drug addicts is long-drawn exercise, there are wards in each of the eight private medical colleges in Mangaluru to take care drug addicts. There are 12 private rehabilitation centres in the district.

Handle children with care

Beena Saldanha, who has been holding counselling sessions in different schools, said that with children at a young age (starting from 10) getting addicted to substance abuse, rehabilitation is a sensitive and challenging exercise. Teachers should ensure that substances that alter functioning of the mind -- namely petrol and whitener -- are kept away children. Teachers should work hand-in-hand with parents in handling mental problems of the younger ones. “Younger children should be handled with care and no harsh steps, such as rusticating the child from the institution, should be taken,” she said.

For mental health counselling and information, people can call 14416 or 18008914416 to get help from experts at NIMHANS, Bengaluru. People can also call Mangaluru Government Wenlock hospital’s dedicated helpline 7483037763. Call can also be made to Yenepoya Hospital’s 24x7 psychiatry helpline 9108919025.

Published - November 29, 2024 09:00 am IST