Only three of the 32 de-addiction centres present in the Capital are providing service for the homeless, according to a recent survey conducted by a non-government organisation Shahri Adhikar Manch: Begharon Ke Saath, working in the area of welfare for the homeless in the city.
The report by the fact finding group found that only three centres – National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (AIIMS), De-addiction Clinic (G.B Pant Hospital) and Institute of Human Behaviour, Dilshad Garden – were working. However, it said, there was no provision for homeless citizens as two out of three centres require an attendant to accompany the person being admitted.
“Also at the end of the list provided by the Social Welfare Department of Delhi Government they make a disclaimer that the information regarding the de-addiction centres run by non government organisations is tentative as it has been collected from various sources. Such shabby treatment to the homeless is pitiful,’’ said Sunil Kumar Aledia.
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A door-to-door survey was done by the team members at the addresses where the Delhi Government said the de-addiction centres were running. “The group saw family residence (Sawera Foundation, 96, Church Road, Jungpura Bagh), a church at (Love, Faith and Action Trust 17-A Christian Colony, Patel Chest, Delhi), an LPG shop at 31 Mahila Kalyan Evam Sew Samiti, Karol Bagh and Ambapali Handloom and Handicraft Multi State Co-operative Society Limited, at C-11, Amar Colony which is obviously a handloom store. Surprisingly these are places that the Delhi Government claims to be running de-addiction centres’’.
“There are also de-addiction centres which are only on paper,” said Mr. Kumar. The group in its observation has noted that there are many women, men and children keen to undergo drug-de-addiction but have no place to go. The situation will improve only if all the drug de-addiction centres, as listed by the Delhi Government function.
Investigations have also revealed that the Social Welfare Department in its detox and rehab services has listed seven categories – detoxification and whole person recovery, referral services, after-care and follow-up, care and support to families for co-dependence and rehabilitation, period of stay and the food for inmates.
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Regarding the stipulation that an attendant should accompany the person being admitted, Mr. Kumar said, “all categories listed are commendable in their intentions but homeless people are sieved out at the very first step rendering the whole list an art work on paper, null and void in reality.”