Alarmed by the rising number of ganja addicts in the district, Warangal Police has launched an all-out war against its smuggling and consumption. And to help the addicts come out of the addiction and lead a normal life, they have launched an initiative named Nayi Kiran.
Nayi Kiran is a holistic drug detoxification and de-addiction programme, which not aims at complete rehabilitation of the addicts, but also help the youth in normalising their life even after they embark on a drug-free life. In association with the local Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital and the Bannu Arogyada Seva Society (BASS), a non-profit organisation, this initiative is giving a new lease of life to the youths who were heavily into drugs earlier.
Indian Masterminds interacted with K. Pushpa, Additional DCP, Warangal, Telangana, to get more details about this initiative.
Nayi Kiran
The Nayi Kiran initiative was actually launched in December 2021 itself. In the first phase of the programme, the then Commissioner of Police, Tarun Joshi, appealed to the youths addicted to drugs to register their names by calling on the number 9491860824 to get help. He said, “More than 150 cases of ganja smuggling or consumption were registered under the Police Commissionerate limits this year alone.”
Speaking to Indian Masterminds, K Pushpa said that Nayi Kiran means a ray of hope. “We just wanted to give them a ray of hope or a new life. The initiative started after we came across murders in the district and found out that few minors involved in drug addiction were related to these cases. Their parents were helpless. At that time, we thought of starting a centre for people with drug problem. Either they should come to us by themselves or their parents or relatives should bring them. They should speak to us and register with us so that we can do counseling.”
The second phase of this programme is going on now and the officer informed that all personal details of victims are kept confidential. They are provided treatment by psychiatrists from the MGM Hospital or through qualified professionals at the de-addiction centre run by the Bannu organisation.
THE FIRST PHASE
Earlier, in the first phase, almost 150 students had registered with the police. They received counseling and the outcome was very positive. As it is a holistic drug programme, it also includes detoxification, where 4 to 5 doctors, including a clinical psychologist, help the youths go through the process and successfully beat the addiction. The police also hand them a number to contact them directly in case of any further help.
Stating that the screening of the addicts is done by a psychiatrist from the MGMH in the presence of their family members, Ms. Pushpa said, “Some of them may be admitted to the hospital for long term treatment, while others will get counseling and help from the rehab centres. The treatment is provided completely free of cost.”
RESOURCE ATTACHMENT PROGRAMME
This is an important part of the Nayi Kiran initiative, where students are attached to successful candidates of the field they have chosen to pursue. For instance, if someone wants to become a doctor, then he or she is attached to a doctor. This is done to bring about positive reinforcement.
JOB CONNECT PROGRAMME
Another important part of the programme is the Job Connect Programme. Where certified candidates get a chance to do a job through the police. “We help them get employed somewhere. It might not be a very big job, but at least it gives them a chance to earn something,” the officer said.
