For the past 45 days, over 2,000 new addicts have been queuing up to enrol themselves with de-addiction centres in the state.
As per the data compiled by the state government during the period of lockdown between March 23 and May 8, a total of 86,371 new addicts got themselves registered for treatment.
Before March 23, there were 4.14 lakh addicts enrolled at various government and private de-addiction centres across the state. In the past one and a half months, the number has swelled to 5.05 lakh.
According to government officials, due to the ongoing curfew in the state, the drug supply chain has been paralysed. Following which, failing to cope up with withdrawal symptoms, a large number of drug users started thronging the de-addiction centres.
Among three regions of the state, districts in Malwa remained at the top. Sangrur tops the chart with 8,896 new drug users opting for treatment, followed by Moga 8,638, Ludhiana 8,479, Bathinda 7,689, Muktsar 5,765 and Patiala 5,328.
Courtesy: Tribune