1. Preparatory Camp Work and Client Recruitment : A 15-day drug detoxification camp was organized by SHALOM (Project H13 Partner NGO) in Churachandpur, Manipur. This drug detoxification camp was organized using the Project H13 (UNODC) protocol on Low Cost Community Based Care and Support (LCCS) as part of the comprehensive package of service delivery aimed at the prevention of transmission of HIV amongst vulnerable drug using populations especially injection drug users (IDU).
Disclaimer: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
Prior to the initiation of camp, information was disseminated within the selected community through the peer's and staff members of SHALOM through local dailies and local cable network.
'Application coupons' for the induction of clients were developed based on which willing applicants availed this coupon at SHALOM's Drop in Centre (DIC).The clients were intimated on the date and time for interview. The aim was to short list clients based on the prerequisites for induction to the camp programme. This camp was the first of its kind in Churachandpur and drug users from the community turned up in large numbers to participate and avail services from the camp.
Community members and Project H13 peers and staff members of SHALOM during the Community sensitization meeting
The SHALOM team and the peers in consultation with important/influential community members finally short listed a 15 member batch for the camp based on the recruitment criteria involved. As a next step a meeting was called to validate the finer nuances involved in organizing the camp. Drug users (both ex and current), project H13 staff and the team leader of SHALOM participated to carefully plan and develop need based activities for the camp in line with the project H13 protocol on LCCS.
As a final step prior to the camp the 15 selected candidates for the camps were invited to attend a pre-camp session at SHALOM's DIC. This session focused on motivating and encouraging the selected candidates for a positive outcome. This meeting was facilitated by Mr. T.Tonsing, Team leader, SHALOM who explained the aim, purpose and the steps involved in the camp. A "Community sensitization meeting" was held at Mualvaiphei (name of the camp site) with the village authority and senior citizens. All of the members present endorsed the idea of organizing the camp and promised to extend support to the programme.
2. Conclusion:
S.No
Some Highlights from the Camp
1.
Total number of clients recruited
15
2.
Total number of dropouts
03
3.
Type of clients recruited (Drug of Choice/mode of use)
IDU's (All were heroin users)
4.
Age Group
23-40
5.
Marital status
Married -2, Single - 13
The "camp-detox approach" is part of the core scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (India) under the Government of India. In support of this approach, UNODC uses Low Cost Community-based Care and Support for drug users (LCCS) as an effective advocacy instrument to engage both drug users and the surrounding community to increase reach and quality of coverage to drug-using populations. This integrated LCCS approach is one of the significant processes adopted by UNODC's regional project (H13 "Prevention of transmission of HIV among drug users in the SAARC region" ) to draw upon trained human resources, which could help in scaling-up HIV interventions among injecting and oral opioid users. The project engages with governments and civil society through existing networks and structures for scaled-up responses to reach those most vulnerable and at high risk. LCCS thus addresses the adverse social, economic and health consequences of psychoactive substance use including vulnerabilities to STI/HIV, targeting population groups in resource-poor settings.
LCCS attempts to reach out to those drug users (including injecting drug users), who:
• are opioid and alcohol users and are at risk of transmission of STI/HIV through unsafe injecting as well as unsafe sexual practices, under the influence of psychoactive drugs.
• are far away from any institution-based addiction treatment (staying in remote areas).
• cannot afford to spare time to access the treatment (vulnerable women, daily wage earning drug users etc.).
• cannot afford the cost of addiction treatment.
• due to several relapses, do not have confidence on institution-based addiction treatment.
• have undergone successful addiction treatment but continue to undergo repeated relapse episodes due to negative community influences.
• are HIV positive, are clinically indicated to start anti-retroviral therapy and have been advised to start ART therapy.
LCCS is also recommended in situations where there is no in-patient addiction treatment facility or where, if a facility exists, it is inadequate to cater to the demand of addiction treatment in a particular geographical area.
3. Photos from the Camp
Drug Users (ex and current), peers and SHALOM staff in a group work to finalize the camp activities
SHALOM team leader and staff in the pre-camp meeting with the camp clients
Clients at the camp site engaged in various activities
