Imphal, June 17, 2010 A consultative workshop for GOs, NGOs & CBOs on effective health promotional approach to MSMs, DUs and FIDUs was held at the conference hall of Hotel Classic, North AOC here today.

Organised under the aegis of SASO with chief editor of ISTV Y Rupachandra as the moderator, the workshop focused on the shifting trends of HIV/ AIDS pandemic from IDUs to MSMs and other vulnerable groups including general population, particularly women and children and also on the FIDUs, DUs and MSMs' inability to raise their voice to confront the challenge to their basic fundamental rights on account of social stigma and discrimination.

Participating in the workshop, Jackson (name changed), while sharing his experiences of being sexually harassed by security forces as well as other form of harassment like extortion and beatings by local goons, pointed out that lack of MSM specialised AIDS counselling in the State is a big for them.

He also cited instances of being stigmatised and discriminated by blood banks when approach for donating blood.

Another participant, Mary (name changed), a CRT and FIDU member, observed that as drug users resorting to prostitution and theft for money is the only means left as there is lack of proper rehabilitation centres for women drug users and proper guidance and timely help.

She shared the experiences of being stripped and publicly humiliated by security personnel along with her colleagues.

Citing an instance in which a Muslim sex worker was scolded by a counsellor in the hearing of other patients when her report of being HIV positive was revealed, Mary said that such attitude and stigmatisation result in hesitation from approaching to access the services being provided.

She also pointed out that media exposure of female drug users leave a permanent scar on their mind.

Chaoba (name changed) of CRT, Orchid West, shared his experiences of being publicly checked for drugs by Excise personnel even after he had stopped abusing drugs.

He also recalled the instances where police and Excise personnel extorting money from them even by mortgaging their personal belongings.

Advocate S Hemanta of Lawyers Collective, while highlighting the various rights of the drug users provided under the Indian Constitution, explained that according to the 2001 Amendment of the NDPS, punishment for carrying drugs is meted out under three categories based on the quantity - small (less than 5 grams), intermediate (5 to 250 grams) and commercial (above 250 grams).

The punishment for carrying a small quantity of drug is imprisonment upto six months or a fine of upto Rs 10,000 or both, for carrying intermediate quantity of drug it is 10 years' imprisonment or a fine of upto Rs 10 lakhs and that of for carrying drug of commercial quantity is 10 to 20 years' imprisonment or a fine of upto Rs 10-20 lakhs.

At the occasion, Project Director of District AIDS Control Society, Imphal West Dr Laksana also released pamphlets on the fundamental rights of the public and laws, particularly those related to drug use, MSMs and FSWs.

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