The government has commenced adequate measures to address alcohol addiction through the establishment of de-addiction centres in public health institutions.

(Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.)

This writ petition has been filed seeking writ of mandamus directing the respondents 3 & 4 to open Alcohol de- addiction Centre in all Medical College Hospitals, District Head Quarters Hospitals, Taluk Hospitals and Non-Taluk Hospitals of the second respondent and subsequently organize Alcohol relief Campus at least once in a year at each Primary Health Centres and Urban Health Posts of the second respondent, within a time frame.

2.It is the contention of the petitioner that the effect of alcohol has affected the society and addiction to the alcohol is increasing day by day. Hence, the writ petition.

3.Counter affidavit has been filed by the fourth respondent stating that the Government has taken various measures to create awareness against alcohol addiction and a sum of Rs.3 Crores has been sanctioned by the Government annually to create State wide awareness. A District Level Committee has been constituted in each District under the Chairmanship of the District Collector. The Zonal Superintendent of Police (Enforcement), the District Superintendent of Police, the Chief Educational Officer, the Deputy Commissioner/Assistant Commissioner (Excise) and Public Relations Officer are also added as Members in the said Committee. Similarly, a sum of Rs.5 Crores has been sanctioned by the Government for rehabilitation of offenders. The Government is also giving priority and allotting funds for the de- addiction centres at various hospitals across Districts and a sum of Rs.3 Crores has been alloted to Kanyakumari, Dharmapuri and Theni Medical College Hospital to create de-addiction centers, vide Government order in G.O.(D)No.49, Home, Prohibition and Excise (VII) Department, dated 08.10.2012. According to them, in the nine Government Medical College Hospitals already de-

addiction centres have already been established.

4.The learned Additional Advocate General appearing for the fourth respondent has also brought to the notice of this Court to the Government order in G.O.(Ms)No.200, Health and Family Welfare (EAPI-2) Department, dated 01.08.2024. According to him, as per the said Government order, 25 de- addiction centres have been established in 25 Government Hospitals and a process has also been initiated to establish de-

addiction centre in the remaining Districts.

5.We have paid our anxious consideration to the submissions made and also perused the materials placed on record.

6.Since the Government has already taken steps and 25 de-addiction centres have already been established and for remaining Districts, the action is also underway, we direct the respondents to complete the process as expeditiously as possible.

7.With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.