Frangipane Drug treatment and rehabilitation Centre inaugurated

Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Frangipane Centre, a Drug treatment and rehabilitation centre , was inaugurated this morning by the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Kailesh Jagutpal, at the Brown Sequard Mental Hospital in Beau-Bassin.
The facility is operational since 14 June 2021 and some 23 patients have already received treatment from the Centre.
The objective is to provide residential detoxification, rehabilitation, inpatient, outpatient and day care as well as after care services to prevent any relapse.
In his address, the Health Minister underlined that the Frangipane Centre is yet another crucial Governmental step in providing the necessary services to the victims of drug addiction. This facility will help these victims to get rid of their addiction and reconstruct a healthy life and empower them for their social integration, he said.
It is located in a strategic place and will offer psychological assistance along with the treatment, he remarked.
The Minister underlined that according to the World Drug Report there were some 275 million people who used drugs worldwide in 2020 among which some 500 000 consequently died.
As for Mauritius, as per the latest figures, there are currently some 6000 people who use drugs, he indicated. Dr. Kailesh Jagutpal stated that it is critical that Government has all the necessary information regarding drug consumption so that the necessary services in terms of prevention and treatment are provided.
To this effect, the Ministry is in joint collaboration with the National Drug Secretariat, carrying out a survey regarding the number of people using drugs in Mauritius, announced the Minister.
He recalled that Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth has taken the personal commitment to act against this social ill and is ensuring that the concerned authorities are ramping up the capacity to halt drug trafficking and related activities in the country.
Dr. Kailesh Jagutpal dwelt on the series of services being offered to drug addiction victims including: the Methadone Substitution Therapy Program being offered in 40 sites across. Some 5800 persons are benefiting from it.
Along with this, the Ministry has implemented follow-up measures in terms of psychological and social support, as well as counselling.
The Nénuphar Centre is offering treatment services to young people and so far some 65 young victims of synthetic drugs have received treatment.
The Minister also called for a change in our perception of drug victims, who need our support rather than rash judgment and marginalisation. We need to get rid of taboos associated with drug victims and help them integrate the society, he stressed.