1656 saved out of 1737 reported overdose cases: Y Sashikumar
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 31 2024: Social Awareness Service Organization (SASO) in collaboration with MNP+, Kripa Society and Care Foundation observed the International Overdose Awareness Day on the topic of 'Together We Can' at Manipur Press Club, here, on Saturday.

Presiding over the function, SASO general secretary Sashikumar said that there is a need to understand what is overdose/overdosing and how to best handle the same.

He informed that only five overdose cases were detected in 2005 .

But such cases have continued to rise over the years.

As per SASO's report, 1737 overdose cases were reported in the past two decades i.e., from 2004 till March this year, of which 1656 cases were saved.

However, 81 cases including 21 women could not be saved.

Stating that the issue of overdose cannot be solved without the support of people, he said that like-minded organisations and people from various sections of the society have been extending their help in the matter.

However, there is a huge gap when it comes to resolution of the issue on the ground.

MACS, under the aegis of Ministry of Health, has been working with regard to fighting HIV/AIDS and related targets.

Drug users, who want to overcome the addiction, are being rehabilitated by Social Welfare Department with support of IRCA under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Sashikumar continued that the issues faced by drug users are numerous, one of which is overdose/overdosing.

The government has not allocated any separate resource or budget for the same.

As such, there is the need to mend the existing gap and formulate a policy so as to ensure the rights of all, he said, while urging people from all sections of the society to extend their support in this regard.

The observance was also attended by JNIMS medical superintendent Dr Kh Lokeshor as chief guest; MU Anthropology Department Prof Dr MC Arunkumar; JNIMS Psychiatric Department head Dr K Shantibala; MACS deputy director (Store) Dr Beema Haodijam and Editors' Guild Manipur president Khogendra Khomdram as guests of honour.

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