UNODC is cosponsor of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS - UNAIDS
Project H13 establishes its first Drop - In - Centre (DIC) in Delhi
As part of the project strategy to "scale up" interventions based on the evidences gathered and the platform created in the first phase, the project is now providing comprehensive services across
Mr. D. M. Spolia, Project Director, Delhi State AIDS Control Society during the inauguration of the Drop in centre
its demonstration sites. SAHARA has initiated this process in Delhi (with support from Project H13, UNODC) by inaugurating its new Drop-in-Centre (DIC) for injecting drug users (IDUs) at the Jahangirpuri Community Project, New Delhi, India, on 22nd December 2006.
Mr. D. M. Spolia, Project Director, Delhi State AIDS Control Society, graced the occasion with his presence. During his brief dialogue with the UNODC staff members and the project staff of SAHARA he expressed his appreciation for the endeavor and promised support towards the initiative.
UNODC staff members along with the SAHARA Project H 13 team
SAHARA's Partnership with UNODC
SAHARA, which is partnering with UNODC under the Project H13 (Prevention of transmission of HIV among drug users in SAARC countries), is an organization with a range of strategies to empower people facing difficult situations due to substance use and HIV/AIDS. Their objective is to strengthen communities, to encourage safer behaviours among them and to aid in their reintegration into the society.
As part of its association with Project H13, SAHARA was actively involved in carrying out the RSRA (Rapid Situation and Response Assessment) activities in the first phase of the project. SAHARA is being mentored in the project, by the Society for Promotion of Youth & Masses and has been successful in actively engaging with their defined community (i.e. the current drug users and their regular sex partners) in the process of implementing project activities.
Key Findings (RSRA): SAHARA
According to a recent Rapid Situation and Response Assessment carried out by SAHARA in Delhi (Jahangirpuri area), more than two-third of drug users (DUs) are between the age group of 26-45 years with 98% being males. One-thirds are illiterate and three-fifths are employed currently. Alcohol (97%), Cannabis (85%), Opium (68%) and Heroin (85%) are commonly used drugs. Among injectables, Buprenorphine use is quite common (69% of all drug users). Almost half of the DUs use them in groups. Among IDUs, sharing (75%) and lending (70%) needles/ syringes is quite high, thereby rendering them quite susceptible to various blood borne infections. Almost all (97%) DUs
Clients visiting the Drop in centre during the inauguration
had experienced sex; 70% having had their first experience before the age of 19 years. More than four-fifths (81%) had multiple sexual partners and only 18% admitted having used condoms during last sexual encounter with non-regular female sex partner. More than half (51%) had anal sex and three-fifths (62%) had used drugs during the last sexual act also. The high risk sexual behaviour makes them susceptible to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), esp. HIV/ AIDS and Hepatitis C; infact, 41% complained of symptom(s) of STIs at the time of interview. Three-fourth (76%) did perceive the associated risk involved and 83% were willing for a HIV status test too.
