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Punjab Jails: 45% Prisoners Addicted to Drugs
2 Sep
Summary
- Nearly half of Punjab's jail inmates are identified as drug addicts.
- The majority of addicts fall within the 18-45 age demographic.
- Over 15,000 prisoners are currently undergoing drug treatment in jails.
A recent report from the Punjab government's prisons department indicates a widespread drug addiction problem among inmates. Approximately 45% of the total 35,449 prisoners lodged in the state's 25 jails are identified as drug addicts. The majority of these addicts are between 18 and 45 years old.
As of August 21, over 15,678 inmates are registered with Out-Patient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics across the state. Kapurthala Central Jail has the highest number of registered prisoners, with 2,635 out of 4,196 inmates receiving treatment. The Buprenorphine+Naloxone (BPNx) medication is being used as a safe and effective treatment to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
De-addiction centers have been established in eight central jails under a national action plan to support the treatment and rehabilitation of inmates struggling with substance dependence. This initiative aims to combat drug use, which has been a significant issue in the state since 2017.
