Ukhrul, September 13: A one-day consultation workshop on HIV/AIDS for police officers in Ukhrul was held today at the Ukhrul police station.

Speaking at the workshop, T Pachuau, IGP, Administration, Government of Manipur, while appealing to policemen posted in the district to avoid risky behavior also emphasized the importance of coordinating with Ukhrul NGOs involved in various interventions related to HIV/AIDS and drug abuse.

The fact that a majority of security personnel belong to an age group which is sexually active and that they are away from their family for a long time makes them vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS.

Incidences of police harassing drug users, sex workers and Men Having Sex with Men (MSM) are not uncommon.

Validating the role of the police in the prevention of HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, M Akshayakumar, HOD, Department of Clinical Psychology, RIMS, Imphal, said that substance abuse prevention is a complex issue which calls for a holistic approach.

K Yaima Kabui, a participant of the workshop, opined that controlling law and order need to go hand in hand with the message of prevention of HIV/AIDS and drug abuse.

Representing UNAIDS, Gopen Moses, while speaking at the workshop said that police are role models for the communities and a ready audience because of your position as protectors of law.

Their work brings them in contact with some of most vulnerable population to HIV/AIDS like sex workers, drug users and MSM.

Lucy, a doctor who has been working with the police in the district said that two policemen have died of HIV/AIDS since she joined work in 2004.Besides awareness programmes, an enabling environment has to be created so that security personnel access existing services for HIV testing and treatment.

Tushimenla, from the NACO Regional Office, while emphasizing the need to reduce supply of drugs said that the whole issue of drug demand and supply reduction needs to looked at from the perspective of public health.

"Reduction of supply and demand has to go hand in hand with reducing the harms associated with drug use to the individual, family and community".

In order to ensure an effective response to HIV prevention, different departments need to work together in mainstreaming HIV interventions into their respective departments' functioning.

Lhari Dorjee, SP, Ukhrul, appealed to the participants that the messages of prevention and care for the infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and what they have learnt from this workshop be shared to others.

He advocated, "Each one teach one".

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