Coimbatore: De-addiction centre for conservancy staff inaugurated

COIMBATORE: A de-addiction and rehabilitation centre for conservancy workers was inaugurated by mayor Kalpana Anandakumar, in the presence of corporation commissioner M Prathap, at RS Puram on Saturday.
Constructed by the city corporation, the facility near Shastri Ground can accommodate 70 people at a time.
The corporation employs as many as 5,817 conservancy workers, including 2,514 permanent ones. Among them, alcohol addiction is prevalent among those who are employed in underground drainage works, a health department official said.
“The new de-addiction centre was built as the centre functioning at Lawley Road had become defunct. The new centre will have recreation facilities like indoor games, a crèche facility and resting places for every inmate.”
A psychiatrist will be made available at the centre round the clock. Apart from de-addiction treatment, staff will also conduct awareness sessions on ill-effects of alcohol and the way it worsens the financial condition of families.
“The workers for treatment will be selected by sanitary inspectors. Workers who want to quit alcohol but don’t know the way to do it can use the facility. They will be sent in batches for treatment,” the official said.
In another event on Saturday, the corporation lauded conservancy workers who effectively did their work in solid waste management. Also, a certificate of appreciation was given to the Siddhapudur Girls High School for implementation of an effective food waste management system on the school campus.