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Our Correspondent
Imphal, June 26 (EMN): The Association of Drug Users Manipur (ADUM) and Harm Reduction Network Manipur (HRNM) has called for reformation of drug control policies, implementation of more public health services and decriminalisation of People who use Drugs (PUD).
The advisors and functionaries of ADUM and HRNM made their appeal during a press conference at the office of Social Awareness Service Organisation (SASO), one of the pioneer organisations in implementing hard reduction programs in dealing with PUD and people living with HIV in the state on Friday.
The day’s press conference was held as part of observing ‘Support. Don’t Punish’ a global grassroot-centred initiative in support of harm reduction and drug policies that prioritise public health and human rights.
The campaign, which seeks to put harm reduction on the political agenda by strengthening the mobilisation capacity of affected communities and their allies, opening dialogue with policy makers, and raising awareness among the media and the public, is usually organised on June 26 since 2013 to coincide with the United Nations’ International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Commenting on the occasion, ADUM advisor H Dinesh expressed the need to reform the drug law in the region instead of giving priority to penalising measures. He urged the authorities not to deal with it as a law order issue but as a public health issue as a long term measure.
Sharing a similar sentiment, RK Tiken, general secretary of SASO also called for better drug policies anchored in public health and human rights than those in punitive measures.
He said, “HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) prevalence rate among the (PUD) was 76.9 percent in Manipur when punitive measures were at height in 1997 but it reduced to 7.2 percent when harm reduction programmes were at height in 2019.” On the other hand L Deepak of Manipur Network of Positive People who is also part of ADUM expressed concern over the drugs scenario in the state due to lack of proper policy.
On the creation of ADUM, its co-convenor Raj Nongthombam said the association was formed under the initiative of 17 individuals who are well skilled in providing services right from harm reduction to highest level advocacy. A quarantine centre for drug users to fight community spread of Covid-19 was set up with the support of the government, he said. At the same time we have also provided training programs to handle the drug issue to many health workers stationed at quarantine centres in Ukhrul and Churachandpur districts, said Sadananda, another co-convenor of ADUM. We have also opened a 24X7 helpline for tele-counselling at the quarantine centres, he said.