Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 30 2010:
Oral Substitute Therapy (OST), a new method of de-addiction of Intra-venom Drug Users with harm reduction gave new hope to them, revealed two IDUs today speaking at the first day of the two day workshop on media reporting on HIV/AIDS slated at Manipur Press Club.
The workshop was organised jointly by the Manipur AIDS Control Society (MACS), Manipur Press Club and Centre for Advocacy and Research.
The two IDUs taking part at the inaugural function related their personal experiences.
One of the IDUs said that when he first addicted to drug, he had a hard time to get his require doses of drug of the day everyday.
He never thinks of his home.
He committed crimes of different kind rights from small to great one to get his expenditure of the day.
However, when he started using OST, his eagerness of drug started reducing day by day and able to stay away from the drug.
OST is a life giving gift to him; he said adding that he is now free from drug addict.
The other IDU who also relief from drug with OST said that at first he could not expressed himself to be an IDU.
He feels afraid to taking part in gathering of his friends and at the public places.
But since using OST, he can away apart from drug.
OST is a method for IDUs for drug abuse.
When an IDU started using OST, he automatically feels withdrawal syndromes.
In this new therapy a tablet buprenorphine is use.
This therapy help the drug users to stay away from drug, experts talking at the inaugural function said.
The two day workshop was opened by director of MACS, PK Jah.
In the technical session of the day, project director (technical), MACS, Dr Pramodkumar talked on the "Understanding the Epidemic and the Response Interactive and Dipak of MNP+ as representative of Project Orchid talked on Injecting Drug User and New Trend in the Response and developing Linkage with Care and Support.