CHENNAI: The Department of Social Defence through an NGO has established the first-of-its kind de-addiction centre in Kancheepuram district, catering exclusively to children in conflict with the law. The move came after the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Madras High Court in 2016 directed the State government to establish a de-addiction centre to address the problem of addiction among children.
The government allotted Rs 22.99 lakh to Life Line Trust, an NGO working for children in distress and in need of care and protection. The centre was established opposite to the Government Chengalpattu Medical College Hospital under the scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse.
“The de-addiction centre will cater to the children from Chennai, Tiruvallur and other districts across the State. This is a pilot project. After seeing the outcome, we will establish such centres in other districts,” R Lalvena, Commissioner of Social Defence, told Express.The 15-bed facility will have one part-time psychiatrist and a multi disciplinary team consisting of a professional psychologist, social worker, counsellor and nurses, said Chezhian Ramu, chairman, Life Line Trust.
The children will be brought to the centre after approval from the Juvenile Justice Board on conditional bail. Accompanied by a guardian or parent, they will then be made to undergo detox process at a government hospital for seven to 10 days depending on the condition of the child. There are many de-addiction centres for adults in the State run by private organisations, but none for children, despite the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2011, specifically mentioning the need to establish one.
“The centre is important as 75 per cent of children in conflict with the law have committed the crime allegedly either under the influence of alcohol or in want of alcohol,” Ramu, who is also a member of Juvenile Justice Board, said.The government should establish de-addiction centre for children across the State as today children are introduced to alcohol or substance abuse at a tender age. “The children in conflict with law escape from observation homes and special homes for drugs, “ said A Narayanan, Director, ChangeIndia.