MANSEHRA: The police department on Wednesday inaugurated the first-ever drug rehabilitation centre at the district jail for convicted addicts.

“This initiative aims not only to rehabilitate inmates serving jail terms but also to provide them with contemporary and theological education, as well as handicraft skills to help them become productive citizens,” district police officer Shafiullah Khan Gandapur said while speaking at the inaugural ceremony held at the jail.

SP Kiran Naz, senior civil judge Aftab Javed, president of district bar association Hafiz Mohammad Naseem Khan Advocate, jail superintendent Nagina Mehsud, district officer of social welfare Sabir Shah, district psychologist at Dadar Mental Hospital Kaynat Sarwar, and head of the victim support service unit Dr Lubna attended the event.

Mr Gandapur said around 30 inmates were currently enrolled in the centre, where they would receive psychosocial support through the victim support service.

“We have also established a game zone and will provide food, as well as training in sewing, embroidery, and other handicraft skills, so prisoners can earn a respectable living after their release,” Mr Gandapur said.

He added the police had also set up victim support service unit, where victims of gender-based violence, sexual abuse, and physical harassment received psychosocial therapy to help them recover from trauma.

“We will also adopt modern methodologies to ensure the permanent rehabilitation of all addicts enrolled in this drug rehabilitation centre,” Mr Gandapur stated.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2025