The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : APSACS plans to tackle drug abuse menace

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Thursday, Jun 26, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

APSACS plans to tackle drug abuse menace

J.S. Ifthekhar

According to an estimate by NACO, there are 2,640 drug abusers in the State

Efforts to check demand and supply of drugs not yielding desired results
Profile of drug abusers changing fast given the hectic lifestyle

Hyderabad: Alarmed at the spurt in cases of drug abuse, the A.P. State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) has planned targeted interventions among injected drug users (IDUs) in Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Warangal and Nellore districts. Before launching Harm Reduction Strategy (HRS), mapping of drug abusers in these places will be carried out in next three months using the IDU community.

With efforts to check the demand and supply of drugs not yielding desired results, authorities have gone in for HRS. Under this programme used syringes are collected from the injectors and fresh ones supplied free of cost. At present this strategy is being implemented only in Anantapur and Chittoor districts by Alliance, the international organisation which supports community action on AIDS.

According to an estimate by NACO, there are 2,640 drug abusers in the State. The profile of drug abusers is changing fast especially in Hyderabad given the changing lifestyle, migration and peer pressure among youth. Drug abuse is associated with high risk for transmission of blood-borne infections, including HIV. In the north eastern states of Manipur and Nagaland this has assumed alarming proportions.

Sharing of needles

What makes the whole thing scary is sharing of needles by the drug abusers who have a strong social bonding. “This trend is growing clandestinely among youth posing a major challenge”, said R.V. Chandravadan, project director, APSACS.

A large number of injectors are mostly using pharmaceutical drugs such as buprenorphine, dextro-propoxyhene, diazepam and pentadene, said Prabhakar Varma, executive director, Alliance India.

Through targeted intervention it is planned to bring about behavioural change, promote condom use and provide enabling environment. Besides, fresh needles will be provided in adequate number to the IDUs. A sum of Rs. 80 lakh is earmarked for these interventions. Interestingly, the plan is being implemented not in the typical government way but involving peer educators and former drug abusers. The harm reduction strategy is working wonders in Anantapur and Tirupati where 400 IDUs were identified, Mr. Chandravadan said.

On the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Thursday, the APSACS has planned rallies, radio talk shows and phone in programmes to create awareness about the danger of sharing needles. In Hyderabad a rally will be taken out from Shalimar Church at Amberpet to Rana Pratapa function hall where a programme is being held.

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