PESHAWAR: The district administration has set up a joint squad comprising officials of police and social welfare department to monitor the drug addicts, who have been freed after spending four months in a government-funded rehabilitation programme.

Earlier on Friday, more than 1,200 drug addicts were reunited with their families after spending months in rehabilitation centre at an event, attended by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur.

A statement issued here said that the decision was made in a meeting chaired by Peshawar Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud and attended by other officials. It said that the meeting decided that to immediately pay Rs50,000 to those, who had undergone rehabilitation as announced by the chief minister.

In addition to this, the families have also submitted declarations with the authorities, stating they would take them to medical facilities for checkup every fortnight. It was also decided that monitoring team would start their work from Monday and shift those relapsing in addiction to immediately to rehabilitation centres. In case of relapse, the addicts would undergo six months free treatment at the government expense.

Similarly, those battling mental illnesses would also receive free treatment and psychologists would visit them at their homes.

Besides, drug addicts from Afghanistan and Punjab, who have undergone rehabilitation, would be handed over to relevant authorities on Monday