HIV/AIDS
Prevention Among Injecting Drug Users in Karachi-A pilot Project
Drug Control field:
Duration/Staring Date:
Executing Agency/ Implementing
Agency:
Prevention and Reduction
of Drug Abuse
Two years (2001-2003)
July 2001
UNODC/NGOs
Project
Description (Background & Justification)
This
programme module is a component of a comprehensive Demand Reduction Programme
for Pakistan whose preparation has been prompted by (a) the United Nations General
Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem 1998, (b) Pakistan=s Masterplan
on Drug Abuse Control 1998-2003 that was approved in February 1999. The overall
programme aims at reducing drug abuse in the country and divided into two sub-programmes:
a) Strengthening Treatment and Rehabilitation services b) Drug Abuse Prevention.
This programme module forms part of sub-programme 2 and has been designed as
a pilot project, in collaboration with UNAIDS-Pakistan. The proposed project
will be carried out in those areas of the Karachi city, which are identified
as areas of where injecting drug users (IDUs) are known to congregate. The decision
to carry out the project in Karachi is based upon the fact that currently there
are no efforts underway to systematically address the HIV/AIDS prevention needs
of IDU in the city, combined with anecdotal evidence and evidence from other
South Asian mega cities suggesting the potential for a serious HIV/AIDS epidemic
among IDUs in Karachi in the absence of intervention.
Immediate
Objective, Related Outputs & Activities
Immediate Objective
Rapid Situation Assessment
of Target Area Conducted.
Provincial Drug Abuse
and HIV/AIDS Task Force established and functional.
Two drop-in centers established
to undertake drug and HIV/AIDS Prevention interventions.
To
minimise the adverse health and social consequences of drug injecting, including
the prevention of transmission of HIV and other blood borne infections, in injecting
drug users (IDU) in the project target areas:
Output
3:
Counterpart,
Institutional Setting and Implementation Arrangements Execution
This
programme module has been executed by UNODC. The Government counterpart is the
Narcotics Control Division (NCD) and Anti Narcotics Force (ANF). The programme
module has been implemented by the selected NGOs. The programme module implementation
has been monitored through the semi-annual meetings of the Provincial Task Force
on Drug Use and HIV/AIDS.
ONGOING
