CS dedicates Socio-Economic Rehabilitation Centre for Drug Abuse victims at IMHANS Srinagar

Srinagar| Sept, 06:In a significant step towards strengthening the rehabilitation and socio-economic reintegration ecosystem for persons affected by substance abuse, the Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo Tuesday dedicated to public the Rehabilitation Centre for District Srinagar at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Srinagar.
Those who were present on this occasion includes Principal Secretary Home; Commissioner Secretary, Health & Medical Education; Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Deputy Commissioner Srinagar; Principal, GMC Srinagar; Head, IMHANS Srinagar and other faculty members and doctors of the institute.
The Centre marks the operationalisation of the Phase-I pilot of the Rehabilitation & Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims, 2026, initiated by the Social Welfare Department in coordination with the Health & Medical Education Department, district administration and other concerned stakeholders.
The inauguration of the new Centre by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo marks a significant step in the rehabilitation of victims of substance use disorders in Jammu and Kashmir. During his visit, Dulloo noted the various facilities designed for effective functioning, including doctors’ rooms and spaces for patient and family counselling, emphasizing the Centre’s role in fostering a long-term rehabilitation journey. He expressed optimism that the Centre would help victims regain confidence and reintegrate into their families and communities, while also serving as a model for implementing rehabilitation policies across other districts in the region. The initiative is characterized by a comprehensive support framework that extends beyond mere treatment and de-addiction, focusing on rehabilitation, recovery, and socio-economic reintegration. Commissioner Secretary M. Raju highlighted that the Centre was established following directives from the Chief Secretary, with IMHANS Srinagar designated as a principal institution for this pilot program. The multidisciplinary approach involves medical assessments, social work interventions, and the development of Individual Rehabilitation Plans tailored to each beneficiary’s needs. Principal of GMC Srinagar, Prof. (Dr.) Iffat Hassan Shah, elaborated on the Centre’s objectives, which include fostering collaboration with community stakeholders to enhance the rehabilitation process beyond institutional care. The framework aims to build a trained workforce of medical professionals and social workers to ensure effective screening, assessment, and ongoing support for beneficiaries, thereby reducing the risk of relapse and social exclusion. Additionally, the Centre will strengthen addiction psychiatry capacity in Jammu and Kashmir through partnerships with the National Drug De-addiction & Treatment Centre at AIIMS New Delhi, facilitating training and research in addiction management. This initiative reflects a coordinated, recovery-oriented approach supported by the Central government, recognizing that sustainable rehabilitation requires a combination of medical intervention, family support, and socio-economic opportunities. With IMHANS Srinagar as a key institutional anchor, the Centre is poised to provide a structured pathway for beneficiaries, guiding them from treatment to successful reintegration into society.