A recent report tabled in the Punjab Assembly highlights a significant increase in the supply of Buprenorphine tablets to state jails. Data from the Public Undertakings Committee shows that the supply of these tablets to prisons rose from 1.17 crore in 2022 to 8.87 crore this year. This sharp climb reflects the scale of drug dependence among the inmate population.
Over the past four and a half years, the Punjab government has purchased 43.44 crore tablets for treatment programs across the state. Officials noted that 40,830 inmates have registered for de-addiction treatment in prisons since 2022. The state government has responded by establishing more treatment centers and Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment clinics specifically within jail facilities.
Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh attributed the increased tablet figures to the expansion of these in-jail treatment clinics. The government also appointed medical staff and psychologists to manage recovery programs. Alongside medical interventions, the state has introduced sports and skill development initiatives to assist inmates in their recovery process.
The broader report indicates that the number of people seeking treatment at state clinics has grown from nearly 2 lakh in 2022 to over 3.17 lakh today. While many inmates engage with these programs, authorities are monitoring recidivism rates for those who return to drug use after initial treatment.