Odisha Steps Up Outreach to De‑Addiction Centres
The Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) has directed District Social Security Officers (DSSOs) to intensify outreach and mobilise patients to nine de‑addiction centres (DACs) across the state.
Established in 2016–17 following an Orissa High Court directive, these centres are located at SCB Medical College (Cuttack), VIMSAR (Burla), MKCG Medical College (Brahmapur), Capital Hospital (Bhubaneswar), Rourkela Government Hospital, and District Headquarters Hospitals in Angul, Balangir, Mayurbhanj, and Puri.
Since 2021, DACs have been integrated with District Mental Health Units, offering screening, diagnosis, treatment, counselling, and follow‑up care.
Notably, MKCG Brahmapur houses a 30‑bed facility, while DHH Mayurbhanj has a 10‑bed unit.
To strengthen services, 14 posts each for Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatric Social Workers were sanctioned, with one vacancy remaining in each category.
Patients benefit from free diagnosis, medicines, and treatment under PM‑JAY and GJAY insurance schemes.
Between January 2025 and May 2026, 2,872 patients received treatment during jail visits, including 993 new patients.
February 2026 recorded the highest intake with 250 patients.
Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) in hospitals further support recovery through counselling, psychiatric services, and telehealth.
The SSEPD has tasked DSSOs with mobilising more affected persons to ensure wider access to rehabilitation and recovery services.
