Pubdate: Wed, 30 Jan 2008 Source: Navhind Times, The (India) Copyright: 2008sNavhind Papers & Publications Ltd Contact: http://www.navhindtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3430 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis) STUDY SHOWS INCIDENCE OF DRUG RELATED RISK BEHAVIOUR IN PRISON SETTINGS Panaji, Jan 29 Authorities should recognise that many offenders who violate drug laws, and drug offenders who commit other criminal acts, commit their crimes because they are themselves addicted to drugs. Authorities should find that treating offenders for their addictions is more effective and economical than punishing them through the criminal justice system. In short, drug use should be decriminalised and treated more as a health issue.This is one of the major points for discussion that arose out of a study of "The Situation and Experience of Drug Users in Custodial settings in Asia." This "snapshot" study is an initiative of a Delhi-based NGO Sharan and the Indian Harm Reduction Network (IHRN). The report was presented at the first Asian Consultation on the Prevention of HIV related to Drug Use, now underway at the Kala Academy, Panaji. The broad aim of this report is to contribute to the mobilisation of public awareness on the health and human righ! ts issues affecting drug users in general but particularly in custodial settings in Asia. The study findings suggest that most drug users initiate drug use at an early stage or during adolescence. When incarcerated, they are put into the same prisons with other hardened criminals. The study suggests that 33 per cent of the respondents initiated drug use below the age of 15 years raising questions about the legal age of incarceration and the wisdom of introducing youth to criminal networks. The study indicated a high incidence of drug use related risk behaviour in prison settings. A majority of the respondents had used drugs in prison and over a quarter had injected and shared injections. Evidence shows HIV prevalence to be much higher in prisons than in the community but prison settings are poorly covered in terms of HIV prevention interventions and effective drug treatment. Another concern is the contradiction that exists in the approach to controlling the HIV epidemic. On one hand, governments in Asia are directing their limited resources to control HIV. On the other hand, the government-run prisons and compulsory rehabilitation centres are turning out to be virtual hubs for the spread of the disease. The study of drug users in custody revealed that 83.4 per cent tested positive for HIV and 70 per cent knew their status. Besides 45.5 per cent had Hepatitis C, 36.4 per cent had sexually transmitted diseases and 18.2 per cent had tuberculosis. Almost 80 per cent had experience of being physically abused in prison. The fallout of the report is a discussion, which suggests that governments, rather than forcing drug users into prisons, could give offenders the option of being referred to evidence-based drug treatments. Imprisonment of drug users is more of a punishment and is not a solution to the problem. Prisons are inappropriate to offer conducive environment for drug treatment, the discussion suggests. - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath