Delhi govt to rope in private players to help drug addicts

Authorities discuss plan with trade chambers like CII and PHD

Learning from John Hopkins Intervention which indicates that high adherence to nutrition leads to improved uptake of health services, the Delhi government is now working to rope in private players to provide not only nutritional support to about 17,000 Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in the city, but also extend employment or skill training opportunities to them.

An initiative of Delhi State AIDS Control Society (DSACS), the matter was discussed early this week where in representatives from various business associations including PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and HMD Healthcare were present.

As per Faizi O Hasmi, project director of DSACS, the meeting was a success and he is hoping for a very positive response.

“While the government is making all efforts to help the IDUs, like providing counselling and medicines at our Drop-in-Centres (DICs), much more is needed to be done in the form of a comprehensive package. From making contacts in the field to shelter, food, drug treatment and employment, we have now initiated dialogue with business houses to support us by providing nutrition to IDUs to begin with,” said Hashmi.

DSACS has mapped about 17,000 IDUs in the city. However, only about 1,000 of them attend 19 DICs and that too during lunch time. If the food is available there, not only will the response be much more but DICs can also promote clinic services and induce behavioural changes among IDUs.

As per the estimates provided by the DSACS, Rs 600 per day or Rs 18,000 per month will be the requirement at each of the 19 DICs. “About 40-50 IDUs attend DIC on any given day and going by the average of 50 IDUs, Rs 600 should be sufficient,” said Hasmi.

Drug net

According to officials, majority of drug addicts come to Delhi looking for employment but unfortunately land up in the drug net.

“Since these IDUs are in the high risk group who could contact HIV or other blood borne diseases, owing to needle-exchange or even using the same unsterilised needles for weeks, we need to pull them out of this mess,” Hasmi said.

The government is of the opinion that private players can engage these people by imparting some professional skills and giving gainful employment. “Hope for future can be a big motivator for any drug addict,” Hashmi said.

The Delhi government in 2011 had announced financial assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS on Anti Retroviral Treatment (ART) and double orphan children infected/affected by HIV/AIDS.