Sensitisation workshop held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 06 2016:
Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+) in collaboration with Manipur State Aids Control Society (MSACS) conducted a sensitization workshop to enhance partnerships between law enforcement, health and NGOs in the context of drug use and HIV at Classic Grande, Chingmeirong today.
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, RIMS, Dr S Gojendra Singh spoke on the topic, 'Basics on drug use/Addiction as a disease' at the workshop while Country Director FHI 360 Dr Bitra George elaborated on the role of law enforcement agencies on People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) issues.
Deputy Director General (TI), NACO, Dr Neeraj Dhingra, Deputy Inspector General (R-I) IK Muivah and Additional Director General of Police (Prison) P Doungel elaborated on topics like 'NACO's response to HIV/AIDS through NACP : North East States', 'Role of law enforcing agencies in controlling drug abuse and HIV/AIDS in Manipur' and 'Role of Correctional Institutions in controlling drug abuse and HIV/AIDS in prison setting' .
Secretary and Director of National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, NS Kang; H&FW Commissioner PK Singh; Deputy Director, CDC India, David Nelson and DGP LM Khaute attended the sensitization workshop as chief guest, president and special guests respectively.
Speaking at occasion MNP+ president Leimapokpam Deepak said there are considerable number of drug users in the State.
MNP+ has organised various advocacy programmes for the drug abusers in the State.
Many misunderstandings crept up when such advocacy programmes were organised without the support of law enforcement agencies, he said.
When police apprehend a drug abuser, in most cases, they demand a fine of Rs 5000 or in case the person is apprehended while driving, they confiscate the vehicle.
To prevent such incident, MNP+ launched various advocacy programmes under Project Sunrise, Deepak said.
"A drug user should be treated as a patient.
Like all patients, all drug users want to give up their drug habits", he said.
Secretary and Director General of NACO NS Kang said drugs users can be weaned away from drugs by substituting intoxicating drugs with drugs prescribed by medical practitioner.
Oral Substitution Therapy (OST) is one such method of substitution.
OST is made available at Government Hospitals and NGOs.
OST can prevent drug users from infection by diseases which are generally transmitted through blood.
There are records which say that the number of drug users in the State has declined.
States with increasing number of drug users include Uttrakhand and Chattisgarh, he added.
DIG (R-I) IK Muivah said police have seized drugs from places like Airport and others.
North AOC, for example, has been known as a hotspot for illegal drugs for decades.
A local group, in co-ordination with police has been conducting inspection drive at the area from time to time to curb the menace, IK Muivah stated.