Chandigarh, May 20, 2025 — While Punjab intensifies its battle against drug addiction through the ‘Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh’ campaign, experts emphasize the critical need for the full enforcement of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 (MHCA) to ensure ethical and rights-based treatment for individuals struggling with substance abuse.

Current Initiatives and Gaps

The state has made commendable progress by expanding access to opioid-assisted treatment (OAT), with over 1 million individuals receiving care across 529 government-run and 180 private centers. However, the comprehensive implementation of the MHCA remains incomplete. Although Punjab established the State Mental Health Authority in 2018 and notified care standards in 2019, full enforcement is still pending. (The Times of India)

Legal and Professional Advocacy

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the state to comply with all mandatory provisions of the MHCA, highlighting existing execution gaps. The Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) has also urged the government to expedite the Act’s implementation, criticizing current treatment protocols as flawed and misaligned with MHCA standards. The IPS advocates for evidence-based medications and emphasizes that disciplinary actions should be governed by mental health review boards rather than the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. (The Times of India)

Future Directions

In a positive development, private psychiatrists will soon be authorized to dispense key medications like buprenorphine and naloxone, with the Health Department working on implementation modalities. This move aims to shift addiction treatment focus from punitive measures to rehabilitative care, ensuring patients’ dignity, rights, and sustainable recovery. (The Times of India)

Source: The Times of India