PANAJI: The drug treatment clinic (DTC) set up in 2018 at the North Goa district hospital in Mapusa has been trying its level best to help addicts restart a new life, but three months ago, it was compelled to throw few of those reforming themselves from its premises as the staff found that they had enrolled just to scout for clients.
Three abusers were caught-red handed selling drugs in the hospital premises. Their names were knocked off from the roll with a warning that they should not step into the hospital.
“I apprehended two of them rolling joints behind the hospital mortuary. They were told to stop the abuse or else entry would be denied to them,” Dr Ravindra Patil, medical officer attached to the centre said. The hospital security was directed to keep a watch.
He said the only reason they were not handed over to the police was that they wanted to see if any of them still wants to continue with the treatment and give up drugs. “It would not have helped in their treatment. So, we thought they ought to be given one more chance of redemption,” he said. The names of those who showed neither remorse nor inclination to continue the treatment seriously were taken off the list.
Whenever any new person is enrolled for treatment, he/she has to sign on dotted lines including that they will not indulge in groupism at the clinic. The person will have to keep away from other patients who may be waiting in queue to see the doctor or for one’s regular dose of Methadone.
“The condition has been laid down so that none seek out other former users and reintroduce them to drugs amid their treatment,” said Patil.
“Some users double up as peddlers in times of need, basically to support their drug habits. Sourcing drugs isn’t a problem for them.”
Robert D’Mello, 44, said the peddlers, who are also the end users, mostly trade in small quantities. He said his neighbour sought him out a few years ago, and he started selling drugs and was arrested three times in the last few years.
“But now I want to give up drugs. I was told about this place by another former user who is undergoing treatment. I genuinely want to stop doing drugs,” he said at his first visit to the clinic.
Most drug addicts start with the same intent but many of them crumble and go back to doing drugs.
Not surprising, when the flow of drugs dries down in the off-tourist season, the centre has more people seeking help. As the season takes off, the number of attendees to the clinic drops.
Patil says that except for one, they haven’t registered any new case since September. They have about 100 listed for treatment.