Tripura CM Saha expresses concern over rise of HIV and AIDS cases; 150-200 infected every month

The Tripura State AIDS Control Board has tested 5,928 women sex workers, 872 homosexual persons, 7,841 migrant workers, 4,376 truck drivers, 114 transgender persons, 8,623 injectable drug abusers till now.

Saha said a large number of these people contracted the virus through drug abuse.

“Every month, 150-200 people are getting affected by HIV. A section of youths have a tendency to go towards darkness. Drug abuse starts with the urge to become the centre of attraction,” he added.

Citing his experience of interacting with one such drug abuse survivor, Saha said, “I met a student from Belonia in South Tripura recently. He is a good student and an excellent sportsman. He fell prey to the drug menace. But he has stopped using drugs after five years and is currently recuperating.”

Sensitisation and monitoring

The sensitisation programme involved headmasters, headmistresses and principals of different schools, colleges and educational institutions.

Flagging the rise of HIV and AIDS cases among students, the chief minister urged teachers to closely monitor the situation and said, “Monitoring and supervision are the main tasks to curb the menace of HIV and AIDS. All clubs, social organisations and service-oriented groups must come ahead and sensitise youths to the dangers of drug abuse”.

Stating that Manipur used to be topmost in the Northeast in terms of intravenous drug abuse, Saha said the central government was helping all states in the region to become drug-free.

“We used to hear Manipur was highest in IV drug abuse in NE. We were very anxious whether HIV and AIDS cases would increase in Tripura. This has happened. Over 550 students have become affected by the disease here. It is a horrific situation. They are the victims and we must have sympathy for them and help them instead of rebuking them.

“Guardians should explain to them, teachers should try to monitor and keep watch on ensuring students wear uniforms properly, don’t have puffy or reddened faces, check the attendance of students… If we don’t stop it now, it will spread all over the state and spill over in other states as well,” he said.

Saha also said many youths who are addicted to drugs often use the same disposable syringes out of ignorance or financial problems and end up spreading HIV and AIDS without their knowledge. He told health officials to make sure syringes are not used after boiling in government health facilities. Only disposable syringes are to be used.

Saha recommended holding HIV and AIDS awareness on every last working day of the week in the schools. He said the government had already set up drug de-addiction centres in all the eight districts.

Crackdown on drugs

Former chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb, who raised the slogan of “Nasha-mukt Tripura” as one of the talking points against the then Left Front government, has been vocal about improving Indo-Bangla relationship through a crackdown on drugs. Cannabis produced in Tripura and other banned drugs form part of an economy of over Rs 1,500 crore annually, his administration had claimed.

His successor, Saha, has said that Tripura is being used as a “corridor” for drug trafficking from Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Recent BSF reports have suggested smuggling of cannabis has come down but that the use of synthetic drugs like yaba tablets has grown.

HIV and AIDS registration, which is conducted under the state AIDS control authorities and NACO, started in the state in 1999, three years after a woman was diagnosed with the disease.

The department of social welfare supports all registered HIV and AIDS patients in the state with testing, counselling and antiretroviral therapy as well as a monthly assistance of Rs 2,000.