Drug abuse among women highlighted

Tribune News Service

Kapurthala, February 16

In partnership with the India HIV/AIDS Alliance, a multi-stakeholder meeting was organised yesterday at the Civil Hospital-based ‘Navkiran De-Addiction Centre’.

The meeting was convened by the Additional Secretary, Health, Punjab, Srinivasan.

Dr Umesh Chawla, Director, ‘Policy and Programme India HIV/AIDS Alliance’ highlighted the importance of working with women who use drugs and his organisation’s commitment to support the state government for developing a comprehensive response centred on health and human rights.

A PowerPoint presentation by Kunal Kishore, who leads the ‘Harm Reduction Programme’ at India HIV/AIDS Alliance, highlighted that there was an evidence available from the world and the country, which indicate a fast-paced trend of drug use amongst women.

He said it required an immediate response in line with the ‘comprehensive package definition’ outlined by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Srinivasan stressed on the need for customising the service delivery package to suit the needs of women who use drugs.

He highlighted the contributions of Dr Sandeep Bhola, project lead and point person, who was instrumental in making the services attractive for the clients by way of fast-paced choice of medicines like methadone and buprenorphine, both on a inpatient and OPD basis to make the approach client-friendly. Dr Sandeep Bhola eluded on the need for prioritising women as a key group.

Mukhwinder Singh Bhullar, AIG, Special Task Force, talked about the need for coordination with other departments, particularly Health and Social Welfare to ensure a balance in response.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate Sanjeev Kundi spoke about the provisions under the NDPS Act for people who use drugs and women in particular. He talked about the role of the District Legal Services Authority in protecting the rights and welfare of people who use drugs and required help.