Mizoram: CM Zoramthanga at newly-opened ‘Jordan’ rehabilitation centre

Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Wednesday said that helping and delivering the people who are affected by drugs and alcohol and from the clutch of their addiction was one of the topmost priorities of his government.

Inaugurating a de-addiction-cum-rehabilitation centre at Sethawn in Kolasib district about 64 km from Aizawl, on Wednesday, Zoramthanga said that the government has been making massive efforts to curb drug and alcohol abuse in the state.

He said that under the state’s flagship programme, Socio-Economic and Development Policy (SEDP), Rs 10 crore has been allocated to fight the drug menace and for the rehabilitation of drug-affected people during fiscal 2019-2020. However, the measure could not be expedited due to several hurdles, he said.

The chief minister said that drug-affected people would be provided spiritual counselling and sports amenities in the new centre which will be upgraded in the future to enable outsiders to avail the facilities.

He said that establishing a peaceful mind upon parents, giving treatment, imparting skill-based training, and delivering the drug affected people from their bondage, are among the primary objectives of the centre.

Also read: Centre asks Manipur govt to act with urgency on drug menace

According to officials, the newly opened rehabilitation centre, known as “Jordan Centre,” was started in 1998 as an “Aftercare centre”. It was renamed Jordan centre in February 2019.

The rehabilitation centre was renovated and reconstructed by the present government in 2019 to accommodate at least 1,000 inmates, they said. At least 11 new constructions were also made at the centre. The state government has allocated Rs 9.20 crore for the purpose.

Besides, the Centre has approved 15.46 crore for renovation and upgrade of the rehabilitation centre, of which Rs 7.73 crore was released as the first instalment under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) scheme in March 2020, officials said.

The main objective of the Jordan centre is whole-person recovery, where physical treatment, spiritual counselling, and a gospel crusade will be provided to the inmates. Detoxification and rehabilitation programme will also be implemented in the centre.

Chief Minister Zoramthanga was accompanied by Social Welfare Minister Dr K. Beichhua.

Also read: Pema Khandu seeks women’s help to fight drug menace