Aizawl: The Mizoram government has announced plans to impose stricter regulations for the establishment of de-addiction or rehabilitation centres by private agencies.
Social Welfare Minister Lalrinpuii said that government accreditation is now a prerequisite for all de-addiction centers, regardless of whether they are run by individuals or private entities.
“Accreditation is mandatory for all de-addiction or rehabilitation centres under the Mizoram Drug Act, 2016 and The Mizoram Drug Treatment cum Rehabilitation Centre Accreditation Rules, 2019,” she said.
The move aims to curb the proliferation of unregulated centres and ensure better quality treatment for individuals battling addiction.
The minister added that these Acts and rules prescribe minimum standards of infrastructure, human resources, service and documentation, among others, for the establishment of de-addiction centres.
She stated, “Any individual or rehabilitation centre that does not meet the required minimum standards will be ineligible to establish or operate such a facility.”
At present, there are 46 state-run de-addiction and rehabilitation centres across the state, of which 11 are declared Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts.
The centres provide a minimum standard of care and support to inmates as prescribed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
There are 25 privately run and eight church-run rehabilitation centres in the state.
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She said that a proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for the establishment of five more de-addiction centres in Saitual, Khawzawl, Hnahthial, Mamit and Lawngtlai districts.
