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Drug addicts show withdrawal symptoms as curfew continues
With much of the country all but locked down for over a week due to a curfew aimed at minimising the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country, those addicted to drugs are starting to experience severe withdrawal symptoms due to their inability to obtain drugs. This has created issues both for the addicts and their families who currently cannot leave their homes.
Given this difficult situation, the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board (NDDCB) under its current Chairman Dr Laknath Welagedara, has started a 24-hour counselling service to assist both addicts experiencing withdrawal symptoms and their families. The 24-hour service is currently manned by 50 trained counsellors.
Those wishing to connect with a counsellor can call the NDDCB’s hotline on 0710-301301. The NDDCB is also providing psychiatric help to callers who need it.
The counsellors are currently handling several dozen calls a day, said Bhadrani Senanayake, the NDDCB’s Acting Director. “Some are getting anywhere between 60 to 100 calls a day. We are currently analysing the call logs from various provinces and will be able to have a better overall picture regarding the numbers by next week,” she added.
Ms Senanayake revealed that they have also received calls from some families who were completely unaware that a loved one was a drug addict. They were only finding out now, during the curfew, as their loved ones start displaying withdrawal symptoms.
Given the current situation in the country, it is difficult to take such individuals to rehabilitation centres. Nevertheless, Ms Senanayake said it can also be an opportunity for addicts to kick the habit for good while in their own homes.
The NDDCB has accordingly described this period as a 14-day quarantine for drug addicts to undergo rehabilitation in their own homes. Noting that addicts are highly vulnerable to COVID-19 and can also serve as carriers of the disease, the Board is encouraging those with drug addiction to use the opportunity to move away from drugs. The helpline has been set up to assist in this endeavour when they need to speak to a counsellor when experiencing the physical and mental discomforts that come with withdrawal symptoms.