India: working with injecting drug users
Since 2004, Alliance India has been working in collaboration with its state partner Social Awareness Service Organisation (SASO) to improve access to treatment and to provide care and support to injecting drug users living with HIV in Manipur.
The programme has taken a comprehensive community approach, including
- using networks of peer educators and outreach workers
- working directly with injecting drug users on harm reduction
- providing a comprehensive package of care and support services to injecting drug users, their sexual partners and families
- addressing broader issues of stigma and discrimination through community mobilisation.
Services include group and one-to-one sessions, the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (including partner treatment), counselling and information on HIV prevention from counsellors and part-time doctors, referral and links to public healthcare services especially antiretroviral treatment, and needle-syringe exchange programmes.
Drop-in centres and support groups provide psychosocial and recreational support for injecting drug users in a safe environment.
In 2007, Alliance India’s home and community-based care programmes reached 1,145 injecting drug users.
