Female drug users on the rise in Imphal: RSA

IMPHAL, April 30: A dissemination workshop on Rapid Situation Assessment, RSA of drug use in Imphal was conducted today at Imphal Hotel. Launched as part of a larger multi-city assessment of drug use pattern in India by UNESCO, UNDCP and MOSJE under the auspices of Society to Urban Poverty (Sharan, New Delhi) together in hand with Kripa Society, Imphal the RSA team revealed there is a need for policy makers, law enforcement agencies and the community to be sensitised to the issues related to drug use, its public implication and its harmful consequences. Head of department, Microbiology, RIMS Ibotomba, Jayanta of ISD graced the occasion as chief guest and president respectively. The RSA report co-authored by Hijam Dineswar, Kripa Society and Mukta Sharma, London School of Economics and assisted by various other individuals was reviewed today by a team of 38 resource persons from various parts of India. The report pointed out that the treatment providers need to be trained in and oriented in new techniques and methodology on drug treatment. The non-governmental sector and community resource must be utilised by the government to engage in advocacy and services delivery activities. During the course of the workshop, various points were raised and recommended though the authors concluded that there is a real role for supply reduction and demand reduction in the context of HIV/ AIDS and other blood borne infections related to injecting drug use. Supply reduction strategies need to be put in place not only vis-?-vis Heroin No 4 but also for pharmaceutical drugs that are available easily over the counter, the team stressed and added that strategies for the prevention of initiation into drug use and initiation into injecting are areas that need to be strengthened and reviewed. Imphal has a considerable number of female drug users, many of whom are also involved in sex work. Treatment services for them are inadequate. Where they exist, they have Biblical and moralistic approach, the team said and added that the majority of male drug users are aware of how HIV/AIDS is transmitted but continued to practice unsafe sex. Hence, it is necessary to empower the women to negotiate. Safe sex with their partners and education should be focus more on female spouses and girlfriends, the researchers added. HIV/AIDS prevention services in the state as delivered by intervention programmes conducted by NGOs and GOs do not have adequate coverage, the team pointed out and said there is a desperate need for creating an enabling environment for nurturing safe injecting and sexual practices. Punitive measures and incarceration of drug users by both law enforcement. agencies and local insurgent groups pushes drug users underground. Therefore, they are unable to access services and even when they are able to access, the effectiveness is considerably reduced, the team added. Moreover, stigmatisation of people with HIV/AIDS and drug users is still very strong in the community. Drug users are still harassed and humiliated in the public if caught or arrested. Till today, local newspapers continue to publish the pictures of drug users and peddlers. Failure in the governance and administration of the state is also an immense obstacle in prevention and intervention programmes on drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. Political instability, insurgency and current financial situation of the state all contribute to the ineffectiveness of various programmes, the authors said and added that a total breakdown of law and order in the state, frequent bandhs, strikes, curfews, road blockade, counterinsurgency operations, etc., makes people less concern about the problem of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. Luke Samson, Sharan, Brajachand, RIMS, Salam Irene, AHRN, Laishram Dhanabir, AMUCO, M Anne, Shine and a few suffering and recovering addicts were at the workshop to share their knowledge and experiences.