Giving a cutting edge to gender divide
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 09 2012: Though drug abuse is equally menacing to the society whether they are males or females, it is the females who face far greater social stigma, discrimination and even ostracism than their male counterparts.

On the other hand, even though the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act 1988 came into force in the State since May 29, 1989, many people see smuggling of these contraband and banned substances as a lucrative means of earning big and easy money.

Despite the alarming situation resulting from drug abuse and smuggling of contraband drugs, there is no drug policy of the State.

For a male drug abuser, much as the family members and the society oppose their habit, they always enjoy at least a square meal a day and a bed to sleep at night.

Their female counterparts are not so fortunate.

Despite all the claims of women being given high status in Manipuri society and the glorious Nupi Lans of 1904 and 1939, women who used to abuse drugs are always a subject of public scorn and viciously discriminated against.

A sketch on World AIDS Day 2011 by Phurailatpam Banti

There are many women who have lost the zeal to live because they used to abuse drugs and subsequently rejected by the society.

Chanurakol is one project which is aimed at infusing the vigour of life and dignity to such women.

This project which was launched since June 2010 under Elton John AIDS Foundation would continue till May 2013 and is being implemented in the State by SASO under the aegis of India HIV/AIDS Alliance.

Three Drop-in-Centres (DICS) have been opened under Chanurakol at Churachandpur, Moreh and North AOC.

In addition to these DICs, night shelter home and short stay home have also been opened at Imphal.

Facilities given under the project include extension of health care service to women drug abusers, undertake detoxification process, treatment of sexually transmitted infections, sending referral to ART centres and drug rehabilitation centres, counselling to enable clients give up drugs and re-union with family members.

At night shelter home, women drug abusers who have no home to return to are allowed to put up the night.

Women drug abusers who have successfully given up drugs are given accommodation at the short stay home for six months together with emergency support, vocational training, counselling, TB treatment (if needed), and sending referral to hospitals.

All these are provided under the Chanurakol project with the ultimate objective of re-uniting the former drug abusers with their families.

Talking with TSE, Chanurakol programme manager Jenny said, "It is no easy task to persuade women drug abusers to give up drugs and correct their behaviour for ultimate re-union with their families" .

Though both female and male drug abusers may encounter the possibility of infection by various diseases but women drug abusers face the additional risks of being pregnant, lactating mother, rape victim, victim of domestic violence/harassment and victim of harassment at work places.

Since 2010, altogether 700 female injecting drug abusers have registered with the DICs opened under Chanurakol project.

Out of them 13 to 15 per cent are living with HIV, Jenny said.

Out of 41 women admitted in the short stay home since the project was launched, 26 women stayed for the full six months at different periods.

Out of the 26 women, around 50 per cent have been re-united with their families and they are once again living with dignity.

One woman who stayed in the short stay home for a little longer than five months said, "All of us who were enduring all kinds of all ailments are giving up drugs were given treatment at the short stay home.

We were also given vocational training there so that we can earn our own livelihood" .

At the request of some clients, short term computer course for three months was also conducted in collaboration with ICM while some others were trained as beauticians.

Others were training in tailoring, embroidery and doll-making, Jenny said.

For female drug abusers, it is not enough to put them in drug rehabilitation centres.

They need encouragement from their families and the society and also a source of livelihood.

Otherwise, some of them got re-lapsed and took to drugs once again.

Saying that whatever activities taken up by SASO were not all comprehensive, Jenny highlighted the need for a State or national policy so as to provide continuous service to female drug users.

With the Chanurakol Project winding up in 2013, it remains a big question whether female injecting drug abusers would get further service which they are receiving currently, Jenny added.