news report of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Mirabai for rehab of drug users

IMPHAL, June 26:  State Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai has appealed for rehabilitation of drug users in the state.

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on the theme “Think Health, Not Drugs” was observed across the state on Tuesday with the main function organizing at Bal Bhavan premises in Khuman Lampak Sports Complex here.

The event which was organized by Social Welfare Department, government of Manipur, was attended by AK Mirabai, Minister, Social Welfare, M Prithiviraj, MLA, Moirang constituency, RK Noyonsana, Chairman, Social Welfare Department and Dr L Ibetombi Devi, chairperson, Manipur State Commission for Women as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

In his keynote address, Lithkhogen Haokip, Commissioner, Social Welfare Department, said drug and alcohol abuse has been quite a social norm in every part of the world today and ultimately the UN taking serious note on the issue first started to observe the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking since 1989.

Haokip said that different mechanism being taken up to undertake the menace of drug abuse by various NGOs and the government agencies in the state are not all right at present as the rate of drug users is now alarmingly increasing in the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Social Welfare Minister, AK Mirabai said   the main objective of the observance of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is to make all out effort for eradication of drug abusers and illicit drug traffickers.

She remarked the day is being observed with a big question on the probability of solving the problem of drug abuse which is increasing day by day in the state.

Miraibai also suggested that proper steps should be taken up to rehabilitate all the drug users in the state and to show them the way to normal life.

It is also necessary to review the works taken up by the concerned government agencies as well as the NGOs with regard to eradication and rehabilitation programmes for drug users, insisting that the NGOs are the guardians of drug users.

All the members both from the government and NGOs should meet and interact together once in a month to discuss about their basic requirements, Miraibai suggested. 

The minister also assured that the Social Welfare Department will consider initiating a state drug policy and that those children at the ICDS and the widow survivors will be provided benefits under certain beneficiary schemes.

The state government is also looking for practical suggestions and views from all the experts in dealing with the problem of drug abuse as there is an interdependent relationship between the government and the public in solving every problem.

The day was also observed at the Multipurpose Hall, Senapati organized by district police.

In her inaugural address, Pushpanjali, IPS, Superintendant of Police, Senapati district, said in Manipur, where a considerable population of young brigade has lost its energy, strength and power to drugs and psychotropic substance, there is utmost need to organize such events in a mass scale. 

Today's programme has been organized with the same spirit to provide a common platform for all the stakeholders to come together and collaborate to control drug abuse, the SP said.

She said compulsive, excessive and self-damaging use of habit forming drugs or substances leading to addiction or dependence, strains physiological injury (such as damage to kidneys, liver, heart) and other psychological harm (such as dysfunctional behavior patterns, hallucinations, memory loss) as death is called substance abuse.

Some of the common drug abuse includes alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, heroine, cannabis, opium etc, Pushpanjali noted.  

She also said as we all are aware that drug addiction causes immense human distress and the illegal production and distribution of drugs have spawned crime and violence worldwide. Today, there is no part of the world, which is free from this menace.

The picture is grim if the world statistics on the drug scenario is taken into account. With a turnover of around $ 500 billions, it is the third largest business in the world, next to petroleum and arms trade. Illegal Drug Trade is a global black market, dedicated to cultivation, manufacturing distribution and sale of drugs, she added.

She added, though drug trafficking in many countries involves major penalty even death penalty in some countries, it remains a menace, because trading in banned drugs remains highly lucrative. However, due to its illicit nature, statistics about profits from the drug trade are largely unknown.

India too is caught in this vicious circle of drug abuse, and the numbers of drug addicts are increasing day by day. Due to its location between two major illicit opium producing centers in Asia - Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle, India experiences large amount of drug trafficking through the borders and it has become a transshipment point. Cannabis, heroin and Indian produced pharmaceutical drugs are the most frequently abused drugs in India, the SP further added. 

She said it is a common feature in northeast India that the earning of money is quickly reflected in the apparent consumption patterns of the people. More dangerously, it has also reflected in the behavior of the youth who have very limited entertainment options in the region. And one very fashionable way is to resort to expensive narcotics.

Drug abuse in a society not only ruins life of an individual, a family but also it ruins the image of a society beyond measures. drug abuse creates mental, familial, social, occupational, financial, and legal consequences, she asserted. 

She said the illicit drug trade is a highly sophisticated operation with clearly defined interests, strategies and aims with a unified power structure, and with total control over the whole process including a complex chain of small businesses.

Various laws have been enacted to control drug abuse and illicit Trafficking like the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 which was enacted with stringent provisions to curb this menace, she mentioned.

AK Sinha, IPS (Zone-III), Manipur said the Spasmo Proxyvon (SP) which is used by the youth as the most favourite drug is produced as a medicine item in India in large quantity and that there is need tohttp://ifp.co.in/imphal-free-press-full-story.php?newsid=7263&catid=1tackle such drug abuse collectively.

Bunii Simon, District Project Officer, Nehru Yuva Kendra who was also speaking at the event pointed out that there are 119 million drug addicts across the globe out of which 1 million of them live in India alone.

He also appealed to all the drug users to wake up and take part in the making of future.

As part of the observance a speech competition and another quiz competition were also organized.

Dr. Simpson Sareo CMO Senapati, L. Thangkhulun Kuki, District Social Welfare Officer Senapati, Basanta of Divine Life De- addiction Center Imphal, members of civil society among others also took part at the event.

In Thoubal district, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking was also organized at the auditorium of New Public Higher Secondary School under the aegis of Nehru Yuva Kendra, Thoubal of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, government of India.

The day was also observed at 69 BN CRPF stationed at Mantripukhri here.

 http://ifp.co.in/imphal-free-press-full-story.php?newsid=7252&catid=1

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Daily News Report of 26 June 2012

No discrimination for drug abuse

IMPHAL, June 26: Speaking at an observation of the 7th International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking today, Family Welfare Services Director Dr L Surchandra said family support as well as support from the society is of utmost importance in the treatment of drug abusers.

People should not discriminate against drug abusers but in fact should bring them out to the society and encourage them for treatment.

The observation was held today at the Manipur Press Club organised by the All Manipur Anti Drug Association.

The function was attended by Family Welfare Services, Director Dr L Surchandra, AMADA M/L president M Padamani Leima, Narcotics Control Bureau, Regional Unit RK Ibungosana, Manipur Olympic Association secretary L mangle and All Manipur Muslim Pangal Women Organization, Anwari Noorjahan.

Chief guest Dr L Surchandra in his speech said he was among the first psychiatrist to have treated drug addicts in the state.

He said today we can see youngsters using even ink erasers, adhesives and many other substances as intoxicants and added we should look into the issue.

“Drug abusers should also be psychologically treated”, he added.

Anwari Noorjahan said in search of easy money people are easily attracted to illicit trafficking of drugs which has also encouraged drug abusers in the state as drugs are easily available in the state.

Encouraging AMADA in its endeavour against drug in the state, she said if the whole society support even 50 percent of what the AMADA is doing in the state, we would be able to uproot all drug related issues from the state.

She continued, until and unless we unite together as a society and start cooperating with one another, the drug menace will remain in the state.

She said providing information on drug traffickers should be considered the first priority in the fight against drugs.

She elaborated that any drug trafficking related information should be reported.

AMADA secretary Manglem in his address said family members should not hesitate to bring out any drug users in the family rather should bring them out for treatment.

He elaborated that in our society, we try to hide any family member who are drug users which should be discouraged.

http://ifp.co.in/imphal-free-press-full-story.php?newsid=7252&catid=1

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Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial on Internatinal Day Against Drug & Illicit Trafficking

Drug free society – Are we ready for that ? 

As we set out to observe another International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to raise awareness about the dangers and problems that illicit drugs pose to the society, we, the people in one of the most drug affected states in the country, needs to take an introspective as well as retrospective look to see how our joint efforts towards combating the menace of drug abuse has been going, to find out areas where we have been falling short so that necessary measures could be put in place for the success of the campaign in future. We need to analyse why the problem of drugs has persisted in one form or the other in spite of relentless efforts down the years and see what can be done to scale up the campaign, wherever possible. Otherwise, the future of Manipuri society would remain bleak with most people who are in the most productive stage of life drowning in the whirlpool of drug and substance abuse.  In addition to rehabilitation of all those who have been affected by drugs, we also need to think of ways and means to keep away the uninitiated from treading the path into the same dark alleys and falling into the trap. As one of the writers in our special feature on the occasion of observing International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 2012 has pointed out, no amount of fund provided or the hype over the Look East Policy would do anything, unless the menace of drug crippling Manipur is put under control. Nothing could be truer than this.

Although Manipuri society has its own history of social conventions and traditions that encouraged use of drugs and other psychoactive substances like Ganja (Cannabis), Kani (raw opium), etc, in one way or the other, the impact of drug in the society has never been the same ever since the invasion of Heroin (No. 4) among the youth in late 1970s and early 1980s. Close proximity to the infamous 'Golden Triangle' comprising Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, from where the international drug cartels originate and the illicit drug trafficking route passes through Manipur has made all the more vulnerable for the local youth in this strife-torn underdeveloped state to fall easy prey to drugs and substance abuse. The days of easy accessibility to Heroin powder in every nook and corner of the state may have gone, but the problem of drug among the Manipuri youth has metamorphosed into a different shape more monstrous and dangerous than one could ever imagine even in his/her wildest dream. As another writer in our special feature has noted, nowadays, beginner abusers of Manipur are switching on to cheap and easily available substances ranging from Dendrite and correction fluids (Kores Eraz-ex) to enjoy self-satisfaction. This changing trend of drug abuse among the youth definitely calls for an urgent attention for involving new strategies if we are to fight against a 'losing' war and save the lives of young people. Are we ready for that? Let's ask this question and try to find an answer as we respond to the global call of creating an International society free of drug abuse.

• http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/editorial/item/2569-drug-free-society-–-are-we-ready-for-that-?

Celebrating Solidarity - 1st Anniversary of CoNE

 

CoNE anniversary celebrated

IMPHAL, June 23: Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE) today celebrated its first anniversary at the Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound here.

The ceremony was attended by K Moses Chalai, Commissioner, Health and family Welfare and Higher Education, government of Manipur, RK Ibungosana, Superintendent, NCB, Regional Unit, Imphal and Dr N Shyamjai, Deputy Director (TI), Manipur AIDS Control Society as chief guest, president and guest of honour.

Speaking at the function marking the first anniversary of CoNE, Moses Chalai said, “Empowerment of people who use drugs and other marginalized communities is the need of the hour.”

He said drug users are people who have been misled and that there is a need for all to join hands and empower them so that they can stay away from drugs and take part in the development process.

Dr N Shyamjai while speaking on the occasion said different stakeholders including those working in non-health areas need to come together if the issue of drug use and HIV are to be tackled effectively,

He further suggested that the state needs to fight against illegal drugs supply in the state and at the same time there is a need to trim down in drug consumption rate.

Sharing the network’s achievements at the function, RK Nolinikanta, president, CoNE, said people who are abusing drugs, living with HIV and AIDS, sex workers and nupi manbis continue to face immense hardships due to stigma and discrimination against them.

He said denial of services, physical abuse and harassment still continue many of which are not reported.

Validating the multi-stakeholders approach, RK Ibungosana said NCB has strived to check drug trafficking and abuse. He, however, said there is a need for different groups of people, including drug users to work together.

In recent past, he said, NCB had interacted with Myanmar officials to curb cross border trafficking of drugs.

Towards fulfilling these, the CoNE has partnered with various stakeholders like Human Rights Alert, Human Rights Law network, , All Manipur Bar Association, All Manipur Anti-drug Association, Centre for Organization Research and Education, etc.

http://ifp.co.in/imphal-free-press-show-archives.php

Lupa lak taruk ki Heroin ga konna na ani phare

http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/manipuri/#

Seized drugs burnt

Naharolgi Thoudang, 16th June 2012:

  link:http://naharolgithoudang.com/yahoo_site_admin1/assets/docs/1.16722945.pdf

Convention programme elaborates on plights of CSWs

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State government fails to keep its promises, HIV +ve, Mr Manipur Pradipkumar waiting for due recognition

"Even if I die, I will not die due to AIDS but from stigma and discrimination meted out to people living with HIV and AIDS" 
Imphal, June 12: The announcement of the Government of Manipur to provide job opportunities to 209 sportspersons of the state in recognition of their outstanding achievements at the occasion of "Shanaroishingi Numit" on December 30, 2009, has turned out to be nothing but sham even though appointment orders not only been issued but also handed over to the selected sportspersons.

Mr Manipur title holder, Kh Pradipkumar, an HIV positive, who was among the 209 sportspersons against whose names the government had issued appointment order, is yet to provide any job till date. The Government has not only gone back on its promises but also forsaken a living legend like Pradipkumar.

In an exclusive interview with Hueiyen Lanpao, Pradipkumar informed that time and again he had approached the concerned authority in connection with the promise of the state government to provide a suitable Government job to him, but always turned down and discriminated on account of his HIV status.

Pradipkumar pointed out that of all the 209 sportspersons who were given appointment orders on December 30, 2009, he is the only one placed under contract basis for a year. Others have been appointed on regular basis. Pradipkumar informed that after he won silver medal in the Mister India contest held in April 2010, he again approached the Chief Minister of Manipur to remind the latter of his earlier promises but only he received only a faint reply.

With all hopes shattered, Pradipkumar expressed unhappiness over the alleged discriminatory attitude of the state government and said that he is very depressed and desire to fade away from public notice. With Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) announcing him as the Grand Ambassador, Kh Pradipkumar was given a monthly income of Rs 6000. After complaining against the meager amount which could not even meet the expenses of his required nutritional support, the amount was increased to Rs 8000. Unfortunately, the monthly salary has not been sanctioned for the last two months. On the contrary, the officials of MACS have questioned him over his role as a Grand Ambassador, Pradipkumar said.

"The works I have done as a Grand Ambassador, the photographs taken, the documentations recorded have been completely forgotten", he lamented, adding that there is even apprehensions on his part that the officials concerned must be using his clipping and documentations for their own private gains.

In spite of the discriminations meted out to him, Kh Pradipkumar is still hopeful of participating in the Mr Universe contest due to be held sometime in November this year. But he is yet to start his practice session as participation in such an event would require lot of financial investment.

In this connection, Pradipkumar informed that so far no one has come to his help and in such a situation 'one can rely upon one's own family'. Nonetheless, Pradipkumar is confident that he would be get the Mr Universe title since he would be competing among groups of his height.

It may be noted that Pradipkumar secured 8th position in the Mr World contest held in Russia recently where he competed with competitors with sharp height differences. Having his last words, Pradipkumar said, "Even if I die, I will not die due to AIDs but from stigma and discrimination meted out to people living with HIV and AIDS".

 link: http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/headlines/item/2288-state-government-fails-to-keep-its-promises-hiv-%20ve-mr-manipur-pradipkumar-waiting-for-due-recognition

HIV positive children in dire straits

IMPHAL, Jun 12 : With most of the projects which provided educational support to children living with HIV calling it a day, and in the absence of any Government policy for their education, children living with HIV have been facing serious difficulties about their schooling.

Nevertheless, 11 children living with HIV in Bishnupur district under miserable conditions are being provided Rs 500 each every month for their education starting from January this year by Bishnupur SP Th Radheshyam, Bishnupur Municipal Council and the Bishnupur Network of Positive People.

All these 11 children have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. Out of them, two had given up schooling while one was yet to go to school even after attaining eight years.

Whereas three children are being looked after by their aged grandparents, one is living with his grandmother who is 85 years old and whose hearing capacity and eye-sight have dwindled severely.

In a similar case, another child is living with his 78 year old grandmother.

Imparting standard education to all children and ensuring good health of each and every child is one among the eight millennium development goals set by the United Nations for realisation by 2015.

Saying that children living HIV should be given the opportunity for education like other children, Thoibi of the Bishnupur Network of Positive People said that providing ART drugs is not enough for children living with HIV.

Like other children, it must be ensured that they can enjoy their rights to education, nutritious food and recreation.

Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, one of the flagship programmes of the Government of India aimed at providing education to each and every children of the country is being implemented in Manipur too.

Not only that, the Right to Education Act is being implemented in the State.

Despite the flagship programme and the Act, the State Government has done very little to ensure that the benefits of the programme and the Act reach the targeted section, Thoibi said.

After seeing the wretched condition of the children living with HIV, Bishnupur Network of Positive People initiated an advocacy campaign seeking education support for the children living with HIV.

As a result of the advocacy campaign, some people came forward to provide education support to 11 children who were living under the most wretched and pitiable conditions.

Starting from January this year, SP Th Radheshyam has been giving Rs 500 to six children every month. The same amount is being given to two children by the Bishnupur Municipal Council while Bishnupur Network of Positive People is giving Rs 500 to three children every month for their education.

Moreover, a sum of Rs 5000 donated by MLA Prithiviraj and another Rs 3000 donated by one Dhanjoy are being used in providing education support to three children.

Three children who had given up education and nine other children who were daunted by extreme misery in the course of their schooling are once again going to schools.

Saying that whatever support the children are receiving does not come from any Government policy, Thoibi expressed her sense of insecurity in case the support is removed.

Earlier, education support was given to 4242 HIV affected children belonging to six districts of Manipur though Project CHAHA under Global Fund, Round VI.

Out of these children, 875 children are living with HIV. However, Project CHAHA was terminated in July, 2011.

Again, education support was given to 840 children under Life Aid Project but the same project came to an end in January this year.

Out of 812 people living with HIV who are enrolled in Bishnupur Network of Positive People, 92 are children, Thoibi added.

link: HIV positive children in dire straits

Drug peddler arrested

IMPHAL, June 12: A team of Imphal East Police under the command of P Manjit Singh, MPS, Dy SP (CDO), Imphal East arrested a drug peddler namely, Md Shabuddin, 33, son of (L) Md Alimuddin of Lilong Atoukhong Maning Leikai from the eartern side of Minuthong Bridge, said a police release.
1944 nos of Spasmo Proxivon Capsules, one mobile phone with one Aircel SIM card and one identity card issued by Election Commission of India were recovered from his possession.
On verification, he disclosed that the above-mentioned SP Capsules were brought from one Sadam alias Angang of Sabal Leikai, it added.
link: Drug peddler arrested

Narcotic Cell seizes brown sugar

IMPHAL, June 12: Personnel of Narcotic Cell, Imphal West Police today seized one Kg of brown sugar worth about Rs 10 lakh in the international market from a drug peddler at North AOC.

The narcotic drug dealer is identified as one Md Abdul Malik, 50, son of (late) Md Abdul Gaffar, a native of Thoubal Moijing Wangma Taba, Thoubal district.

Police said the contraband drug was seized from the individual near Hotel Imphal, North AOC around 3:45 pm by a  police team led by Sub-inspector S Babuyaima when he was about to leave Imphal for Guwahati with the consignment drug.

The brown sugar will cost around Rs 7 lakh in the local market but worth Rs 10 lakh in the international market, they added.

Meanwhile, two women drug peddlers were on Tuesday sent to the Imphal Central jail after being produced before the Special Court NDPS here.

Merinwon Horam, 47, of Thoubal Bazaar and PK Rhotah, 28, of Yentem village, Ukhrul district were caught by the volunteers of Winotang Organization along with heroin drug and handed over to police on June 7.

link: Narcotic Cell seizes brown sugar

Man dies of opium overdose

IMPHAL, June 11: A man who was found lying unconscious at Kanglapat near GM Hall yesterday died due to opium overdose at RIMS in the wee hours of Monday.

The unidentified body is now lying at RIMS mortuary. A case has been registered with the City Police in connection with the incident, a statement from Officer-in-charge, City Police said.

link: Man dies of opium overdose

Students lured by drugs

Naharolgi Thoudang, June 11, 2012

http://naharolgithoudang.com/yahoo_site_admin1/assets/docs/3.16214850.pdf

War against Drugs

Poknapham, 11-06-2012

http://www.poknapham.in/Archives/2012/June/11-06-2012/Page_8.pdf

Drugs nab by Kakching Police

Poknapham, 10-06-2012

 http://www.poknapham.in/Archives/2012/June/10-06-2012/Page_10.pdf
 http://www.poknapham.in/Archives/2012/June/10-06-2012/Page_8.pdf

Programme to prevent HIV/AIDS

Poknapham, 10-06-2012

link: http://www.poknapham.in/Archives/2012/June/10-06-2012/Page_9.pdf

Drug peddler arrested

IMPHAL, June 9: A police patrol party today chased down a man suspecting him to be a drug peddler and recovered SP tablets from him this early morning around 7:30am.

According to a source, police personnel on patrol duty at Singjamei Bridge accosted a man on a two-wheeler suspecting him to be a drug peddler.

However, the man fled from the scene leaving behind his scooter. The police team chased him down and managed to capture him from Singjamei Chongtham Leikai area.

On frisking his body, the team found 80 capsules of SP and three N-10 tablets, the source added.

The man has been identified as Oinam Boy, 29 son of Gorbadhon of Singjamei Chingamakha Oinam Leirak. He was later handed over along with the drugs to the Singjamei PS.

link: Drug peddler arrested

Ukhrul locals nab women drug peddlers

Ukhrul, Jun 08: Two women were nabbed by locals along with contraband heroin from their possession in Wino Bazar locality on Thursday.  Police said the two women were involved in drug deals and were nabbed by locals of Wino Bazar for possessing contraband heroin yesterday. The arrested women were identified as Mirinwon Kasar of Thoubal Bazar and Rotah P Kasar of Yentem village under Ukhrul district.

The seized items included heroin in three small bottles and in several paper packets, two disposable syringes and two small cutters use in packaging the powder drug. Locals paraded the two drug peddlers in the thoroughfares of Ukhrul town before being handed over to Ukhrul police station along with the sized items. In another incident, a huge consignment of Spasmo Proxyvon tablets was seized from one local man in Ukhrul town. The seizure was made by an Ukhrul based organization.

http://www.hueiyenlanpao.com/brief-news/item/2196-ukhrul-locals-nab-women-drug-peddlers

Medical aid

IMPHAL, June 7: 10 Assam Rifles under the Red Shield Division, continuing its Sadbhavana efforts, conducted free medical camp today ... ... ... ... ... ... aimed at bringing awareness regarding prevention of HIV/AIDS.

08-Jun-2012 at 02:21:3

link: Medical aid

‘Survey says around 1300 PLHA in Senapati’

IMPHAL, June 7: There are 660 HIV positive persons in Senapati district of Manipur including 170 children and 63 persons have already lost their lives to the virus.

IFP was informed of the statistics by Network of Positive People, Senapati affiliated to Network for People living with HIV, Manipur/Indian Network for People living with HIV/AIDS.

A senior-staff of the network has informed that 660 people have registered with the network; however the actual number of people living with HIV/AIDS may be a lot higher as was found during a recent survey of the district conducted by the network.

During the recent survey it was found that there may be around 1300 persons living with HIV/AIDS, he informed IFP.

Senapati district has now the second highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS among the hill districts of the state, he said.

According to records available with the network, the virus has already claimed lives of 63 people.

The staff also said the main cause of the spreading of the virus in the district used to be syringe sharing among Injecting Drug Users, IDUs; however, the presence of commercial sex workers in the district has also become another main cause for its spread now.

He further informed that an Anti-Retroviral Therapy, ART centre is present at the district head-quarter and two linked centres are also established at Kangpokpi and Saikul providing ART treatment to 325 registered patients.

He further informed that there are other networks in the district including the Rural Development Association, Meitei Leimarol Sinnaisang and Community Care Centre working on the issue in the district.

The NPPS was established in the year 1999 and became a registered body in 2002 and started providing guidance to HIV/AIDS affected people of the district since then.

The network has been helping the HIV/AIDS affected individuals on how to receive treatment and on other issues.

The registered head office of the network is in Saikul Bazar, while its administrative office is at Ward No 4 of Kangpokpi

The network further informed that the number of people living with HIV has reached 660 including 280 male, 210 female and 170 children. The 170 positive children include 90 boys and 80 girls, the network said.

The age group of the children range from very small to 16 years old. The children were transmitted with the disease from the parents.

link: ‘Survey says around 1300 PLHA in Senapati’

AR seizes drugs worth Rs 2 Cr

IMPHAL, Jun 7: Troops of 9 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector seized a large consignment of Pseudoephedrine Hydrochlo-ride- based medicines (174 kgs) being smuggled into Myanmar via Moreh and apprehended two drug peddlers at about 11.30 am on June 6, , informed a PRO IGAR (S) release.

The apprehendees have been identified as Samuel (36) s/o Thanghulh and Thangkhosei (43) s/o (L) Thongkhojam, both from Dalpati, Moreh Ward No. 2.

In another incident at about 12.30 pm of June 6, troops of 24 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector seized 300 kgs of contraband Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride medicines, being illegally ferried from Imphal towards Moreh and beyond, at Lokchao.

Total worth of seized banned/illegal tablets is estimated to be over Rs 2 crores.

The PRO release identified two persons, from whom the drug consignment was seized as S Lhunkhohou Haokip (22) s/o S Tong-khothang Haokip of Teng- noupal and S Tilkhothang Mate (18) s/o S Tongkhosei Mate of Tengnoupal.

The apprehendees alongwith the contraband drugs were handed over to office of the Narcotics Control Bureau, Imphal (Manipur) by Assam Rifles, it added.

 link: AR seizes drugs worth Rs 2 Cr

Maharashtra: HIV positive driver victimised, seeks justice

Pune: The Maharashtra Health Minister has promised action after a CNN-IBN report on a bus driver with the State Transport Corporation who was sacked just because he was HIV positive.
Interestingly, two decades since the government launched its battle against discrimination of HIV positive people with an iconic advertisement, crores have been spent to counter persecution of the HIV infected.
However, the campaign ironically has failed to eliminate prejudice even within government departments.

A 41-year-old bus driver from Pune, an HIV positive, was sacked by the state transport department in May.

A 41-year-old bus driver from Pune, an HIV positive, was sacked by the state transport department in May. The sole breadwinner in the family, his teenage son was then forced to quit studies; he now works as a security guard.
In 2008, he tested positive and voluntarily disclosed his status to his employers. Considerably weakened by the disease and fearful of putting the lives of passengers at risk, he wrote to the STC asking to be moved to a non-driving job in 2011.
Medical tests at the government-run Sasoon hospital too declared that he was unfit for driving heavy vehicles. The STC chose to sack him instead on the basis of that report.
"They even asked the hospital to declare him either fit or unfit, and don’t say unfit to drive heavy vehicles," said Kamble, the driver.
The State Transport Corporation in its defence quotes the rule book. The divisional controller told CNN-IBN that the rules only provided for accommodating drivers in a desk job in case of accidents, where the individual is 40 per cent disabled.
Often condemned twice, the HIV affected are hopeful the HIV-AIDS Bill will do what awareness campaigns have failed to. In the final stages of approval, the bill stipulates that a person with HIV cannot be sacked or denied employment except with a written assessment of an independent healthcare provider that the afflicted person indeed poses risks of transmission.

link: HIV positive driver victimised .. .. ..

India should tax air tickets to pay for AIDS drugs - U.N.

NEW DELHI, June 5 (AlertNet) - Millions of the world's poorest people could have easier access to life-saving drugs if India introduces an air ticket tax to help fund purchases of cheap medicines for HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, a senior U.N. official said.

UNITAID, a U.N. agency which negotiates for cheap medicines from pharmaceutical manufacturers to treat deadly diseases, is lobbying countries such as India to join its air ticket levy initiative which began in 2006.

Under the program, countries put a nominal amount on the cost of air tickets which funds UNITAID to buy drugs for patients in the developing world. Ten countries have imposed the levy, generating $200 million annually for cheap medicine.

"What we want in India is a similar system by which a very small contribution which is painless to the traveler can be applied to large numbers of travelers," UNITAID Executive Director Denis Broun told AlertNet in an interview.

"Since air traffic is very high in India, the small amount of levy makes a huge difference to the amount of drugs that we can purchase and the number of poor who can benefit from them."

HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis kill 4.4 million people each year, UNITAID says. Approximately 14.2 million people are in need of anti-retroviral drugs globally, yet more than half cannot afford them.

India's airlines are reeling under a debt load of $20 billion and lost $2 billion last year, as high fuel prices, a weakening rupee and competition kept fares low and costs high.

But the country boasts the fastest growing air passenger market of major economies with 61 million people traveling last year, and still growing.

"People are saying I am coming at the wrongest possible moment. You hear all these arguments, but they are absolutely bogus. It has no impact on government budgets, airline traffic or the economy."

WIN-WIN FOR INDIA

Broun, who met civil aviation and health officials, said he was proposing a tax of 10 rupees (18 U.S. cents) on domestic tickets and $1 on international flights. He said discussions were at a very early stage.

Chile charges $1 per ticket as their levy, while Brazil charges $2 for international flights, he said. French passengers pay one euro for domestic and four euros for international tickets.

Mali, Mauritius, Madagascar, Cameroon, Congo, Niger and South Korea had also implemented air-ticket levies, said Broun.

He said it was a win-win situation for India as 80 percent of the drugs bought by UNITAID are from Indian pharmaceutical firms and some of which were for Indian patients.

"It would be a good thing for India. First of all, Indian patients benefit - 35,000 Indian children are treated for HIV using drugs paid for by UNITAID," he said.

"We buy most of our drugs from India so in a sense what would the tax do? It would go back into the Indian economy into the pharmaceutical sector. So it's difficult to find arguments to say it would be bad."

(AlertNet is a humanitarian news service run by Thomson Reuters Foundation. Visit http://www.trust.org/alertnet)

(Additional reporting by Anurag Kotoky; Editing by Robert Birsel)

link: India should tax air tickets to pay for AIDS drugs - U.N.