In what could be termed as the first in the history of drug use response, a joint meeting of the largest platform of private drug treatment centres (U-TRUST), and NGOs working in the Harm Reduction Sector was convened on May 13,  at the conference hall of Radiant Resort, Maiba Khul, Imphal East to discuss the current drug use scenario and its related issues. The meeting was attended by executives of U-TRUST (Union of Treatment and Rehabilitation of Users for Social Transformation) and representatives of three prominent NGOs namely SASO, Care Foundation and Kripa Society along with the Secretary of MSACS Partners NGOs Forum (a conglomerate of 53 TI Partners) while the meeting was also endorsed by the MNP+.

After extensive and detailed deliberations on the present drug use scenario, the need for healthy networking and referrals between Harm Reduction and Demand Reduction Sectors and Future coordination and joint response; the meeting adopted various resolutions that include undertaking a correlation approach among the participating organizations irrespective of mode of service delivery (harm reduction or demand reduction) to address the current drug use issues particularly human rights violations of drug users. 

Further, it was unanimously agreed that a seminar on ‘strengthening of existing drug treatment services and addressing the ongoing rampant human rights violations of drug users amidst the prevailing ethnic violence’ shall be organized shortly by the U-TRUST in partnership with other like-minded organizations/CSOs, in which all the participating NGOs have also agreed to extend their unwavering support for the said program.

Acknowledging that a lack of an established medium has always been a deterrent for those in the Harm Reduction and Demand Reduction sector to join hands and work for the welfare of the drug users’ community, the meeting agreed to make every effort to pave a way for establishing a common platform for both the sectors to work together more efficiently. The meeting also unanimously agreed to maintain a healthy networking and referral system by opening an open communication channel among the Rehabilitation Centres under the U-TRUST and the participating NGOs.

As a significant outcome of the joint meeting, it was agreed upon that an effective and efficient drug overdose response system will be developed by the participating organizations in which private Rehabilitation Centres shall be connected with the nearest TI (Targeted Intervention) Partners in the vicinity for overdose responses. The TI partners and the Rehabilitation Centres under U-TRUST shall also cooperate with each other in any relevant activities and also during emergencies.

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