Additional Secretary of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Smt Mona K Khandhar, visited the Government Drug Rehabilitation Centre at Raiwala, Uttarakhand, managed by the Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses (SPYM). The centre promotes a holistic, dignity-centred approach combining medical care, professional counselling, structured daily routines, and wellness activities to support recovery from drug addiction.
During the visit, Smt Khandhar expressed intention to engage with the Ministry of AYUSH to explore integration of traditional wellness practices including yoga, meditation, and naturopathy into drug rehabilitation programs. The Raiwala centre's experience could serve as a starting point for pilot projects examining how these practices may complement evidence-based medical treatment and professional counselling under appropriate clinical supervision.
Executive Director Dr. Rajesh Kumar explained that the centre currently incorporates wellness activities such as Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Acupressure, Massage, Mud Therapy, and Epsom Salt Therapy as part of its rehabilitation environment. These activities help residents manage stress, maintain healthier routines, and improve overall well-being, while complementing appropriate medical treatment and clinically supervised withdrawal management.
The centre emphasizes resident participation through daily routines, shared responsibilities, group activities, and input on daily routines, food menus, and recreational activities. This approach fosters a sense of belonging, mutual respect, and community bonds among residents.
Smt Khandhar emphasized that any integration of wellness practices would require structured planning, documentation, and evaluation to assess safety, acceptability, and potential benefits. Medical professionals, AYUSH practitioners, mental health experts, research institutions, and rehabilitation specialists would need to contribute to developing suitable protocols and quality standards. Successful practices could eventually be considered for adaptation at other government-supported drug rehabilitation centres across the country subject to assessment findings and ministry approvals.
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