Re: Number of injecting drug users on the rise in Delhi, Punjab: Study

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Dear AIDS INDIA,

Re: /message/11122

The drug scene in the country as a whole change dramatically over the last two

decades and it becomes imperative to understand the complex medical and

psycho-social problems associated with substance abuse.

Punjab state is one of the examples of such a change where steady increase in

per-capita consumption of alcohol, switchover from traditional drugs like

opium/dode to psychotropics and synthetic drugs like proxyvon, spasmoproxyvon

and medicinal drugs like burprenorphine became popular among youth and adult

population.

The associated risk taking behavior including vulnerability towards HIV/STI is

emerging as a big public health problems and solution goes beyond conventional

approaches.

Delhi, like other metropolitan cities saw a new trend in when 10-15%

heroin/smack users switchover to ID use and in a few JJ Colonies & slum clusters

seropositive rates rise to an alarming proportion. There is need for qualitative

mapping and need based psycho-social and medical intervention.

The role of alcohol in risk behaviour particularly unsafe sexual practices is

yet to be focussed at macro level. There is a need for more systematic

exploration and involvement of multi stake holders at grass-root level.

Hari Kesh Sharma

Ex-Senior Research Officer

All India Institute of Medical Sciences,

New Delhi

E-MAIL: <sharma.hari30@...>