DW BUREAU / Chandigarh In consonance with firm commitment of Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to eliminate scourge of drugs from the state, the Punjab government in partnership with the Special Task Force has launched a Peer Support Network for inmates with a substance use disorder/addicts in 19 Punjab prisons starting from this month. Divulging more details Cabinet minister for jails Mr. Harjot Singh Bains stated today said that these 19 prisons cater to more than 95% of the addict prisoners and the Peer Support Network will be extended to rest of the 6 jails in near future. He said that Peer Support is one of the 3 essential pillars of Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) model i.e. medication, peer support and counseling. Mr Bains said that it is vital in assisting victims of drug abuse from staying away from drugs and undergoing successful deaddiction treatment. Minister further said that It is an important part of recovery process as per evidence based best practices at the national and international level. He said that Peer Support network will be established in association with Narcotics Anonymous (NA)- an international non-profit fellowship/society for helping men and women. (editor@dailyworld.in)