Treatment and Service provision to the Substance Misuse Clients at NIMH

The Director General of Health Services by his letter dated 06.05.2020; No DDG/NCD/75/2020 under the title ―Arrangement of psychiatry outpatient clinics to treat illicit drug users during COVID-19 pandemic‖ has highlighted the importance of providing treatment for clients seeking help with regard illicit substance use. As per the norms and practices of NIMH following guidelines are issued to streamline the services provided by NIMH to said clients.

Substance misuse clients who present to the OPD will be registered following proper triage protocols and the relevant area basis On Call Medical Officer will attend to this patient for assessment and treatment.

1. Patients that only have substance use problems without psychiatric or medical comorbidities should be managed in accordance with the circular DDG/NCD/75/2020 of the Director General of Health

Services and referred to the relevant clinic as per the attached circular using the given referral form.

Drugs if needed can be issued from the OPD Pharmacy.

2. The algorithm created by the Substance Abuse Treatment Unit at Navodaya Centre can be used to assess the client at OPD. Needed Referrals Forms, Prescription Forms and Assessment Forms are also attached in annexure.

3. The OPD staff must maintain a separate register of clients reviewed under this circular for purely illicit substance related purposes.

4. Provision of Reports for requests made under the Drug Dependent Persons (Treatment and

Rehabilitation) Act No 54 of 2007 as per the previous internal circular will remain the same and will be independent to this service.

5. Admission of patients for management of withdrawal symptoms should only be done in very needy situations and these admissions must be done with the concurrence of the relevant Consultant/ Senior

Registrar.

6. The treatment of persons with substance abuse issues is a matter of national importance and all staff are advised to take a humane and non-judgmental approach in dealing with these clients.

7. Clients coming from the Kolonnawa Divisional Secretariat Area are to be referred to and followed up at the Navodaya Centre Substance Clinic.