With the partnership of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Global Organisation for Life Development (GOLD) has initiated a project on preventing, spreading awareness and removes the negative attitudes and discrimination against HIV positive patients. Those people who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS faces discrimination in the society resulting violation and deprivation from their basic human rights. It has been spotted that HIV positive people and Injected Drug Users (IDU’s) are the most vulnerable sections suffering from various co-morbid conditions such as Tuberculosis (TB) and Hepatitis-C infections.
UNODC
Training of law enforcement for an enabling environment
Assam has PWIDS (people who inject drugs) and Guwahati which falls under the jurisdiction of Kamrup (M) being the ‘Gateway of Northeast’ is highly vulnerable to drug use. Guwahati is the prime transit point in the state for drugs smuggling. Heroine, Brown sugar, Marijuana is some of the drugs smuggled into the region. Drug trafficking, illicit use of drugs by the youths and associated violence has put severe hurdles and has been one of the biggest challenges to the law enforcement in the contemporary times. Three sensitisation programmes was conducted and the programmes were attended by ASP, DSP, Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, and various Law Enforcement officials of the police department of various districts.
The role of law enforcement officials is very crucial in eradicating the menace of drug use. Despite dealing with drug trafficking, seizure and arrest they can also play an important role in mobilizing the community and linking the drug addicts to treatment programs which will help them to reduce crime related to illicit use of drugs.
Sensitization of staff of drug rehabilitation centre
Civil Society can play a significant role in advocating the stakeholders for bringing change in policies in order to bring development in the grass root level, thus empowering the marginalized sections. It has a larger role to play in removing HIV stigma and to eradicate the drug menace. Three CSO meetings were held and the Training Program was attended by several NGOs and Rehabilitation Centres for Drug Users of Guwahati city. There were around 90 participants in the programmes combined together and the main objective of the programme were to create a robust network with the Civil Society Organisations to create a drug free society and to remove stigma and discrimination against PLHIV and IDUs. Various technical knowhow were discussed in the session by the resource persons who will enhance the learning of the CSOs and this will help them to work in the respective subject.
