Injectable drug abuse triggers HIV and Hepatitis health crisis in Assam's Dhubri

Health authorities in Assam's Dhubri district have launched an intensive month-long health campaign following an alarming rise in HIV, Hepatitis-B and Hepatitis-C cases linked to the increasing use of injectable drugs among young people.

 

The Assam State AIDS Control Society, in collaboration with the District Health Society, Dhubri, began an integrated health campaign on July 8 to identify infected individuals, contain the spread of the diseases and rehabilitate youth affected by substance abuse.

 

As part of the campaign, mass screening and identification drives are being conducted across the district, with officials aiming to map high-risk areas, provide counselling and ensure timely medical intervention through Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) services.

 

Speaking to reporters, Joint Director of Health Services, Dhubri, Jyoti Kumar Das said health authorities have identified a significant number of injectable drug users, many of whom have tested positive for HIV, Hepatitis-B and Hepatitis-C.

 

"We have found many drug addicts and injectable drug users in the district. Among them, several are HIV positive, while others have been diagnosed with Hepatitis-B and Hepatitis-C. The situation has become a matter of serious concern," Das said.

 

He noted that many of those affected are between 16 and 23 years of age, highlighting the growing vulnerability of young people to drug addiction.

 

According to Das, the sharing of contaminated needles among injectable drug users is accelerating the transmission of infectious diseases, raising fears that the infections could spread further if immediate intervention is not undertaken.

 

He said the campaign will involve collecting the contact details of affected individuals, tracking their health status, providing counselling, and linking them with treatment facilities to prevent further transmission.

 

Health officials expressed hope that the integrated campaign will help curb the spread of HIV and viral hepatitis while encouraging drug-dependent youth to seek treatment and rehabilitation.

 

The district administration has appealed to the public to cooperate with health workers and participate in the screening programme to help contain the emerging public health crisis.