32 drug users tested, one found Covid-19 positive
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 24 2021: Out of a total of 32 street-based drug users who underwent mass testing on Monday, one has been found positive for Covid-19.Informing that the test programme was jointly conducted by Social Welfare Department, Federation of India NGO for Drug Addict Prevention (FINGODAP) Manipur Chapter and private de-addiction centres as part of the government's initiative to fight Covid-19 pandemic, Social Welfare director Ngangom Uttam Singh informed that the lone Covid-19 positive drug user has been admitted to a special unit of Covid Care Centre for necessary treatment.

Upon recovery from the infection the said individual will be transferred to the special de-addiction and treatment centre of the Social Welfare Department at Canchipur, said the director, adding that 28 other male drug users who tested negative have been housed at Divine Light Centre, Canchipur while four female drug users, who also took the test but turned negative, have been taken to Sneha Bhavan, Airport Road for treatment.

Briefing media persons during the mass test drive conducted at the office premises of the Directorate of Social Welfare, director Uttam stated that the free testing is being organised for the street based drug users to find out whether they have contracted Covid-19 and for timely treatment to save and protect their life.

The main objective of the testing programme is to prevent spread of the infectious disease among the drugs users and to enable them to lead a normal life after treatment, he said.

Informing that people affected by Substance Use Disorders are among the most vulnerable section of the society to both COVID-19 infection as well as the adverse impact of stringent measures taken up to control the pandemic such as curfew/lockdown, the director also said that those suffering from alcohol or drug use disorders are likely to experience intense craving, as well as withdrawal symptoms with potential serious and life threatening consequences.

Moreover, they are potential source of spreading the virus, if not taken care of in time.

It is well known fact that there are many street based drug users who are disowned by their family.

Taking serious note of the exponential increase of the number of COVID infections in the state, it is felt that there is an urgent need to take measures for containing/ preventing the possible spread of COVID-19 among the drug users in particular and masses in general, Uttam maintained.

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