Community ACTION

 

Crisis Team of CoNE rescued two community members from police

Harassment and demanding money from people who use drugs by different law enforcement agencies at north AOC, Imphal is very common when drug users comes here to get drugs. Since this place is one of the well-known hotspot in Imphal, most of the law enforcement agencies are earning good money on daily basis.

Today around 1.30pm two drug users K. Tomba and Johnson (name changed) went to this place to buy drugs but two policemen who were on civil dress apprehended them. They were threatened  like anything and even take away their scooter (Honda Activa). Finally they were asked to give 10000/- (Ten thousand only).  Meanwhile they were allowed to buy drugs from one of peddler but again make them arrested by another police team after coming out from the house of the peddler and released them after taking Rs.300/- from them.  The previous police team asked them to go home and get the money immediately to get back their scooter.

One of them called up our executive member of CoNE and informed about the incident. It was learnt that, at the time of their arrested there was no drugs with them but this policemen knew one of them as drug user. Immediately our member gets together and discussed the issue and decided to response immediately.

A team comprises of 8 members of CoNE went to the spot where the policemen asked the two drug user community  to come with money. The team met the policemen started inquiring of the incident. Initially the policemen tried to hide their identity by saying that they are from Narcotics Bureau (NCB) but later the team came to know that they are from Imphal East police station and comes there to earn money. The team explained to the police personal that, this is not the right way of treating people who use drugs but rather they need treatment at rehabilitation centre. After a thorough discussion and mutual understanding, the policemen agreed to release the two drug users and their scooter without charging any money.

The two community members were taken to CoNE office and gave counseling by the leadership team of CoNE. They were given the information of various services available in the city for treatment of addiction.

The two drug users told to CoNE team they were almost ready to pay the amount demanded by the police because they were afraid that if the information reached to their family it would become a huge problem. But luckily they save the money and also know about the treatment option available.  They thanked the team of CoNE and show their interest for volunteering in CoNE.

These cases are happening on daily basis in this hot spot. There is need for advocacy with police to stop such kind of harassment to people who use drugs. They are simply putting people in more vulnerable situation.

Otherwise prevention of HIV will remain as wish ……………..

At around 5:00 pm on 1^st June 2012, Mr. Pradeep, Youth Consultant, MSACS called up CoNE office and informed that one local club and women group caught some drug users at Khurai Heikru Makhong. Immediately a team of two members from CoNE with Pradeep went to the spot and intervened.

Two drug users identified as RS. Johnson (name changed) from Yaingangpokpi, Ukhrul and another teenage boy from Naoremthong, Imphal West were caught with drugs by members of said local club at around 1:00 pm. As per the victim it is learnt that they were threatened and beaten. The teenage boy was handed over to his family members but was held RS. Johnson till 5:00 pm.

A Reporter from local newspaper was also present there to collect the information and trying to take photograph of the victims. But the team talked with the reporter about implications of publishing in the newspaper and requested not to take photograph and he agreed.

Then the team discussed with the club members and women’s group about the issue of drug use and approach to deal with it. The team convinced them that physical harassment or punishment is not the solution, rather they need family and medical support. The option is to refer to rehabilitation centre and discuss with the family members.

A police team also came to the spot and trying to arrest the victims. However, after explaining the issue the police were supportive and agreed to put them under treatment. They also shared that filing FIR against a drug user is also another challenging task for them.

Finally the club agreed to hand over the victim to us by signing an agreement with the club. The victim was brought to the CoNE Office and counseling was given to the person.

It was learnt that he is married and on ART for the last eight years. The importance of adherence to ART was shared with him and the services available for drug users like OST, Methadone and rehabilitation etc. He is willing to stop using drugs and prefer the OST program instead of rehabilitation. He agreed to come back to our office for further assistance and we give him the contact detail of our office.

Since he is on ART and CoNE couldn’t arrange the ART medicine, so we arranged the transportation for him to reach his residence. Later we contacted his wife through one of our community member of his place. The good news is that he reached home safely at 9:00 pm.

But this is one reported case out of unreported thousand stories…………….