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Haryana’s Drug De-Addiction Claims Ring Hollow as Young People Struggle to Access Treatment: Kumari Selja
Congress leader says unemployment and inadequate rehabilitation services are putting young people’s futures at risk; calls for stronger public treatment facilities and action against drug trafficking
Sirsa MP, former Union Minister and Congress national general secretary and CWC member Kumari Selja has expressed serious concern over drug addiction among young people in Haryana and the reported shortcomings in the state’s de-addiction facilities. She criticised the BJP government, alleging that its claims of making Haryana drug-free are not reflected in conditions on the ground.
Selja said unemployment, the growing problem of substance abuse and inadequate access to treatment were placing the future of young people at risk. She added that drug addiction was affecting families and communities and could also have wider implications for the social environment and law and order.
Treatment Facilities Under Pressure
Referring to a published report, Selja said around 1.84 lakh young people had received treatment at de-addiction centres in Haryana over the past five years. According to the figures cited by her, the state has 134 registered de-addiction centres, of which only 26 are government-run.
She alleged that several centres lack adequate doctors, trained staff, medicines and essential facilities. According to Selja, these shortcomings raise serious questions about the implementation of the government’s de-addiction policy and the availability of public healthcare services for people struggling with substance dependence.
She said the challenge was not limited to preventing drug use. Young people who wanted to overcome addiction and return to normal life also needed timely medical care, counselling and long-term rehabilitation. Without these forms of support, recovery could become difficult for individuals and their families.
Treatment Costs Burden Families
Selja expressed concern that treatment at private de-addiction centres could be expensive, placing a substantial financial burden on poor and middle-income households. Families seeking help for a young relative, she said, should not be left struggling to afford essential treatment.
She argued that tackling addiction required a coordinated approach that went beyond police action. While strict action against drug traffickers was necessary, she said, the government also needed to focus on employment opportunities, mental health services, counselling and public awareness.
Selja said young people must have access to education, meaningful employment and opportunities to lead dignified lives. She maintained that prevention, treatment and rehabilitation should be treated as essential parts of a comprehensive response to substance abuse.
Selja Seeks Expansion of Government Facilities
The Congress leader called on the Haryana government to expand public de-addiction services in every district. She demanded access to specialist doctors, free medicines, psychological counselling and proper rehabilitation facilities.
She also called for regular monitoring of private de-addiction centres to ensure that people seeking treatment receive appropriate care and that essential standards are maintained.
Selja urged the state government to move beyond publicity and announcements and take practical steps to improve services on the ground. Protecting young people from drug addiction, she said, must be a top priority.
Her remarks put the focus on two connected challenges: preventing substance abuse and ensuring that those seeking recovery can access affordable, appropriate treatment. The figures cited in her statement highlight the reported demand for services, while the concerns she raised underline the need for adequate staffing, medicines, counselling and rehabilitation support.
BOX ITEM: Paddy Procurement Claims Also Ring Hollow; Government Must Address Farmers’ Problems in Mandis: Kumari Selja
Kumari Selja also criticised the BJP government over alleged disorder in paddy procurement and lifting operations at Haryana’s grain markets. She said technical problems with the procurement portal, an inadequate number of trucks and slow lifting of stocks were causing difficulties for farmers.
According to Selja, paddy was piling up in mandis while farmers faced problems selling their produce and receiving payments. She said the government was responsible for ensuring that cultivators received a fair price for their crops and were paid on time.
She called for immediate arrangements for adequate transportation, storage and lifting of paddy, along with the prompt release of pending payments. Farmers’ concerns, she said, should not be ignored.
