Punjab Skill Development Mission Helps Recovering Addicts Get Employment

For many drug users, the struggle does not end at de-addiction but marks the beginning of another. Once they have begun to recover and take notice of the world around they often find themselves lost and dejected. The path to recovery can be extremely arduous and can often weigh very heavy on those looking to change their lives post-recovery. In order to help the recovering addicts to get back into the society, the state government of Punjab has started seven skill development centres under the patronage of the Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM). NDTV visited a skill centre in Ferozepur that is giving former addicts a new purpose in life by upskilling them.

Those recovering from substance abuse in Ferozepur district of Punjab first found solace at the OOATS (Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment programme) centre, where over 1200 people are currently registered and are being administered a daily dose of a morphine-like substance to help them cope and recover. A small team of passionate workers, under the patronage of Punjab Skill Development Mission has worked tirelessly to bring reluctant students on board.

Sarabjeet, a PSDM worker says that the challenges were many right from the beginning when they had to convince users to admit at the training centre. He says,

We went to the OOATS clinic every morning to speak to addicts and tell them that Punjab skill development is running these courses, it is free and we will also help you with loans and also help you find employment. We also ensured them that no one will be told about their background, as it is a mixed crowd, so that no one treats them differently.

Shakti, the Training professional who runs an NGO for Drug users, was assigned to organise this entire effort a year ago. He says,

When we started training, we faced many challenges. When they come here, they come after taking medicines from the OOATS clinic and sometimes, they would bang into the glass door or fall down. But slowly they got better.

He further said that society has neglected drug addicts and recovering addicts. The stigma is strongly attached to them. People think that because they take drugs, they are bad, however, all they need is guidance.

There are three trainers at the skill centre who are providing training in plumbing, electrical home appliance repair and digital skills. Within a year, over 100 students have found employment after finishing training at this centre. With such a high rate of success, the teachers and the organisers cannot contain themselves. Anuj, a trainer said,

It is not about money, it is about gratification. It makes us very happy to know we have been able to make a difference, to improve someone's life who had lost hope.

A student at the centre, Monu a man with polio ridden legs, and now a freelance plumber has struggled with a cheap form of heroin locally called Chitta. After the loss of his 2nd child, he became an addict of the substance. Today, he seems to be changes and rather confident about life. He told NDTV,

I used to intake drugs, after coming here, I have come to know what life is. Earlier I used drugs and only cared about that, but now, I have time for family, and I take care of them. Now, I only feel like working and nothing else comes to mind.

A job, for these students, is not only a means to survival but also their gateway to being integrated back into society. Another young man feels his life has become much better after he got a job. He said,

I have confidence now, to leave drugs and also to work hard. Wherever I go and meet people, relatives and others, they give me respect.

The Ferozepur training centre's  90 per cent success rate is motivating new students to join the classes and every day new students are joining in with a hope to transform their lives.