The Nexus between Drugs and HIV Infection
According to the World Health Organisation, the sharing of HIV-contaminated injecting equipment accounts for 5-10% of all adult HIV infections worldwide and is a major driving force of the HIV and hepatitis C epidemics in some developing countries. As much as 30% of all new HIV infections are attributed to injecting in countries outside sub-Saharan Africa.
The prevalence of HIV amongst injecting drug users in India could be more than 5%. But the only government intervention for these hidden, marginalized people are detoxification. Those who cannot obtain treatment and continue to inject drugs, or those who relapse, need other methods for reducing the risk of HIV transmission, including community outreach, the provision of new needles and syringes, condom provision and drug substitution therapy.
TPF, being in touch with drug users had already identified vulnerable areas and groups where vulnerability reduction and harm reduction programmes has to be conducted. Peer lead intervention strategies can bring about drastic change from risky to safe behaviors.
TPF has identified its strength in providing following services
- Treatment-Detoxification and rehabilitation
- Community outreach-Reaching services to the vulnerable groups and areas
- Needle Syringe Exchange Services
- Condom provisions
- Drug substitution therapy
It is ready and looking forward for national and international partners to support us to undertake activities in these areas of services.
Present Initiatives
Community Outreach
Occasional prevention camps were conducted in the areas of Delhi where IDUs and other types of drug abusers are concentrated.
Work Place
In partnership with interested management and trade unions, we conduct one-day awareness drive on HIV infection and Drug Abuse for the employees. Our volunteers counselors shall visit the work places regularly on request.
For voluntary Organization
Workshop on HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse is conducted for the NGO staff capacity building as well as for the target population according to the need.
Psychosocial Support to the HIV/AIDS affected
Services through Referrals
Targetted Intervention among Injecting Drug Abusers in Panipat
HARYANA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
HARYANA STATE AIDS CONTROL SOCIETY, GOVT. OF HARYANA
Goal: To reduce the transmission of HIV among IDUs through services provided at the Drop – in – Centre
Target Area: Urban Area of Panipat, Haryana
Target Group: Injecting Drug Users (IDUs)
Targeted interventions for HRGs-Component wise
- 1).Outreach and Communication
- Peer-led, GO supported
- Outreach and behaviour change communication
- Interpersonal behaviour change communication (IPC)
- 2).Services
- Promotion of condoms, linkages to STI (sexually transmitted infection) services and health services with a strong referral and follow-up system.
- Promotion/distribution of free condoms and syringes for IDUs)
- Provision of basic STI and health services including abscess management
- Linkages to other health services (e.g. for TB) and voluntary counselling and testing centres(VCTC)
- Provision of safe spaces (drop-in centres or DICs)
- 3). Creating an Enabling Environment
- Advocacy with key stakeholders/power structures
- Crisis management systems
- Legal/rights education
- 4). Community Mobilization
- Creation of a space for community events
- Building capacity of IDU groups to assume ownership of the programme
- 5).Staff Team
- Project Manager…………1
- Medical Doctor……………1
- ANM/Counsellor…………..1
- Outreach Workers……….5
HRIDAYA-Harm Reduction In India
In Partnership with India
HIV/AIDS Alliance
Hridaya–Harm Reduction in India, Hridaya Project is being implemented in three states of India, Working with a total no of 35 IDU TIs in three focus states namely Bihar (14 TI) Haryana (15 TI) Uttarakhand (6 TI) by India HIV/AIDS Alliance with the support of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Netherlands, the basic focus of Hridaya Project is to work on harm reduction among the Injecting Drugs Users (IDUs). Major thrust will be upon making essential services available in all sites, increased outreach to a wider range of male and female IDUs and addressing health needs and vulnerabilities of their spouses, to strengthening psychosocial and other support services.
Aims & objectives
- Strengthen the civil society to implement more effective and impactful HIV interventions through harm reduction strategies.
- Increase access to services for IDU in under-served areas & provide additional services in areas where services already exist.
- Compliment and supplement the existing harm reduction programmes and avoid duplication of services.
- Undertake special emphasis on spouses, partners and families.
Target Area: Urban Area of Panipat, Haryana
Focus Group: (120) Injecting Drugs Users and their families
Hridaya Services
Direct Support
PLHIV Emergency, Peer Progression, Crisis Response, Medical Support & Life Saving support.
Education
Hepatitis, Overdose, Legal Right, Family Meetings, SRH, Support Group Meeting, Positive Prevention.
Referrals
Detoxification, Nutrition, Social Entitlements, Hepatitis, SRH Services, CD4 testing, OST follow up, for spouses, ICTC/Pre ART, STI Management & Tuberculosis.
Human Resources:
- Project Officer………………….1
- Outreach worker………………..1
- Peer Counsellors………………2
- Peer Eduactors…………………2
Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Baseline/Drug Use Pattern Assessment
- Addressing duplication- Personal Information based UID
- Introduction of Database system- Syr Ex.
- Technical support on M&E
- End line Project Evaluation study
Sustainability:
- Ability to transfer skills and techniques
- Introduce changes in systems that ensure continuity
- Empower staff at various levels of organisation to take informed decisions and involvement of communities in programme implementation
- Prepare an exit plan