Aizawl: The Mizoram Police on Tuesday completed a 45-day detoxification and rehabilitation camp for around 346 police personnel who were found to be suffering from various ailments due to alcoholism and substance abuse, officials said.
A senior Mizoram Police officer said that the ‘National Fund for Control of Drug Abuse (NFCDA) under the Union Finance Ministry-sponsored ‘Detoxification and Rehabilitation Camping’ for 346 police personnel concluded on Tuesday at nine camps, which had been set up in eight Battalion Headquarters and at the Police Training School, Thenzawl.
According to the official during the camp, a daily routine which included physical exercise, drill, indoor classes including mental, religious and spiritual guidance was put in place.
It was observed that all the participants not only improved their physical and mental well being, they also gained the physical and mental ability to overcome substance/alcohol dependence, the official pointed out.
He said that regular interaction with the public in dealing with law and order, confronting criminals and preventing and detecting crimes, can become a major cause of stress.
An official statement said that regular absence from a family environment due to the 24×7 duty and posting in inhospitable and hostile places are also major factors in creating stress.
It has been observed that these issues lead to an increased risk of problem drinking. Without professional intervention, it could lead to reduction in productivity at work, increase mental and physical health concerns, as well as dysfunctional family and/or social environments for the drug/alcohol dependent police personnel.
A committee of senior police officers was formed under the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Training) to oversee the organisation and close supervision of this campaign.
The participants were admitted to the nearest centre from their Battalion Headquarters and locality.
The family members have also been closely associated with the entire exercise.
