Are we doing enough?

Substance abuse continues to challenge Sikkim

TSHERING EDEN

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed across the world on 26 June and Sikkim too saw a host of events held to mark the day. The State has been battling substance abuse and trafficking for a long time now, and on this occasion, it is only fitting to ask - are we really doing enough?
Despite efforts at creating awareness on drug abuse, the social stigma attached to addiction and users is still prevalent. The vacuum, in terms of figures and studies on drug abuse in the State is yet to be filled. Almost every week there are news reports of drug busts by the police. Apart from all of these, there is also the big problem of providing proper rehabilitation and de-addiction facilities to those who have fallen prey to this “social evil”.

Opioid Substitution Therapy Centre inaugurated at STNM Hospital

HOPE FOR INJECTING DRUG USERS 
GANGTOK, 27 June: Principal Director, Health Services, Dr. IL Sharma today formally inaugurated the Opioid Substitution Therapy [OST] Center at the Psychiatric center, STNM Hospital. 
The inaugural programme was held at the European commission building, STNM Hospital complex organised by Sikkim State AIDS Control Society [SSACS] which had Dr. IL Sharma as the chief guest along with Additional Director, Drug Control, Health Department, Additional Medical Superintendent STNM Hospital, Dr. KB Gurung and Project Director SSACS, Dr. Uttam Pradhan.
The chief guest in his address stated that since long scientists and doctors had been working on finding apt solutions, methods of harm reduction in Injecting Drug Users [IDUs] and after several years of hard work the OST was traced as one of the measures to control and reduce harm in IDUs.
Injecting drug through veins increases the risk of transmission of various life taking diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C so to avoid any such harm these centers are established and operated by National AIDS Control Society, added Dr. Sharma.
The process in OST center treatment is long and involves low risks, the OST way of treatment is the best for IDUs. If the IDUs cooperate with the centers and the doctors concerned, then the users can be detoxified and later can even lead a normal life, he informed.
Whereas on the other hand Dr. Sharma also stressed that the doctors or counselors present in the center need to interact with the IDUs to motivate and build a healthy reputation so that the IDUs undergo the treatment course till detoxification is complete. He also urged the doctors, counselors and nurses appointed in the center to adopt such practices till the treatment procedure is completed.
He further urged all departmental staff present not to take the OST center as a programme but rather to coordinate in all possible ways to eradicate IDUs from the state totally.
PD, SSACS, Dr. Uttam Pradhan stated that IDUs have emerged as an important high risk group with potential of contracting and transmitting HIV due to unsafe injecting practices including sharing of needles, syringes and other paraphernalia. The strategy in NACP III to prevent transmission of HIV among IDUs is ‘Harm Reduction’. The harm reduction strategy includes needles syringe exchange programme, behavior change communication [BCC], out reach and substitution therapy.
Dr. Pradhan added that Substitution therapy with Opioid is a well accepted treatment strategy for harm minimization in IDUs and several studies from around the world have shown that OST can reduce the prevalence of HIV and HIV risk behavior among the IDUs.
Adding more he mentioned that the two most commonly used Opioid medications for OST are Buprenorphine and Methadone and both medications have been found to be effective in HIV prevention.
Further explaining the OST, Dr. Pradhan stated that Opioid substitution therapy involves replacing the client’s primary drug of use [Opioid] with a medically safe drug or the same Opioid in a safer mode of administration under medical supervision. In OST, an Opioid [such as Heroin, Spasmo Proxyvon dilution and injection in case of Sikkim] which is unsafe, requiring repeated administration through unsafe/ hazardous route is substituted with a medication such as Buprenorphine which is long acting, safer and administered through oral or sublingual route. The medication used in OST helps the client not to experience either withdrawal or euphoria.
Further more, OST helps in achieving a comfortable level and the client stops injecting drugs which eventually prevents the potential harm of contracting HIV and other diseases transmitted through injecting routes as well.
Earlier during the programme, a power point presentation on OST was also presented by north eastern regional technical officer, IDUs NACO, Saubhagya Chakraborty. The inaugural session of OST was also attended by doctors, nurses of STNM Hospital along with staff of SSACS and NGOs.

Earthquake rehabilitation reinforced with monitoring cells and improved preparedness measures

GANGTOK, 18 March: Now that the earthquake rehabilitation funds have begun coming in from the Central government, the State has initiated process to institute proper processes for their utilization and monitoring and is also now focusing on strengthening its disaster response for the future.
All departments receiving funds from the Centre as per their respective DPRs have been directed by the Relief Commissioner to set up dedicated monitoring cells to keep regular tabs on progress of repair and rebuilding works and monitor utilization.
The state government, officials inform, is particularly focused on the proper utilization of these funds for their stated purposes. Coordination meetings are being held with the line departments on a regular basis to assess the progress of restoration works as well as to discuss disaster preparedness for the year ahead, which is expected to be a worrying phase with the soil and underlying rock mass in various areas rendered vulnerable to the monsoons by the 18 September earthquake.
Meanwhile, the State government, through the Land Revenue and Disaster Management department, is also focusing on disaster preparedness for the coming year, informs the Relief Commissioner, S Bhadauria.
A major awareness and coordination drive with the district authorities is to be launched in April. This drive will include the active involvement of Civil Defence teams, the line departments, district authorities as well as central agencies.
The focus will be on coordination among the various agencies and setting up cells in various localities comprising of residents to respond efficaciously and expeditiously to natural calamities in their respective areas. The other major focus of this drive will be to identify vulnerable zones and areas as well as structures. These, the Relief Commissioner informs, will be put under special watch.
The identification and watch of vulnerable zones and structures will be done with the help of residents of the respective areas. It is expected that the monsoon will wreak havoc in the form of landslides and disruptions in road communication in various parts of the state which has been weakened and made vulnerable in the wake of the earthquake. This requires proper preparedness and prevention measures which the state is preparing to work out with this major drive.
Facilitation centres are also to be opened in the district offices which will provide shelter and immediate relief measures to people affected by natural calamities. The internet is to be used in a big way for communication and assessing of information, particularly to provide hourly updates on road status and information on any calamity and which will provide updated information. On the other hand it was informed that the Civil Defence is to be rejuvenated in all the districts.

State receives Rs.150 crore under NDRF for disbursing among state departments

GANGTOK, 15 Feb: The state government has finally received funds for reconstruction and rehabilitation from the central government. While the Land Revenue department has not been divulging much in terms of the funds released from the centre or disbursed to the departments it has been informed that the state has received Rs.150.38 crore from the central government. This was received under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for allocation and release among the various state departments. In fact the state cabinet has approved and sanctioned the amount for allocation and release to the departments. Furthermore,iIt is informed that the central government has also agreed to the sanctioning of Rs. 200 crore for the rebuilding of the Tashiling Secretariat. The central government had earlier assured the state government that it would undertake the reconstruction of the damaged Tashiling Secretariat.
Furthermore the state cabinet during its meeting on 9 February approved the demolition of damaged buildings by the earthquake within the Tashiling Complex. These damages had been indicated in the technical report submitted to the government. The state cabinet also approved to provide quotation or to float NIT for award of work as the case may be through wide publication from firms and outside, dealing with such works.

Consultation workshop held on rural housing earthquake reconstruction project

GANGTOK, 11 Jan [IPR]: The devastating Sikkim earthquake of 18 Sept 2011 resulted in widespread damage to public and private property. A large number of rural houses suffered various degrees of damage. Accordingly the Rural Management and Development Department prepared a DPR for the reconstruction of these full/severely damaged rural houses.
Based on this proposal, the Government of India has now sanctioned this rural housing reconstruction project. In order to finalize the design of this project and the modalities of implementation a consultation workshop was organized in RM&DD head office on 10 Jan.
This workshop was chaired by Minister RM&DD, CB Karki and attended by Minsters and MLAs, Secretary-RM&DD, District Collectors, ADC (dev)s and other senior officers. Presentation on the approach to this project was made by Special Secretary (RM&DD), Sandeep Tambe which was followed by discussion on the various issues raised.
The group discussed the various issues related to eligibility criteria of beneficiaries, beneficiary selection process, implementation models and monitoring mechanism. The Minister RM&DD in his address asked everyone to take up this project with utmost vigour and in mission mode.
This project is in fact an opportunity to bring about significant qualitative improvement in the rural housing infrastructure of the State and to reduce its future vulnerability to earthquakes. He also impressed upon them to ensure all possible transparency safeguards and quality standards to make Sikkim a model state.

SHRPP accuses State Govt of ‘carelessness’ and ‘mismanagement’

GANGTOK, 11 Jan: Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party [SHRPP] has accused the State government of ‘carelessness’ with regard to attending to the needs of the affected people of the 18 September Earthquake. The party has alleged that even after four months since the earthquake, proper shelters have not been provided to many people in such cold weather.
A press release issued by its general secretary, Tara Shrestha, alleges that when the public is facing such problems the Chief Minister is not even in the state which signifies his lack of concern for the people. Further alleging ‘mismanagement in the state administration’ the party has decided to write to the Governor and Union Home Ministry about the same, the release informs.

Chungthang residents place grievances with District administration

PUBLIC DISSATISFIED WITH SLOW PACE EARTHQUAKE REHABILITATION AND RESETTLEMENT WORK 
MANGAN, 10 Jan:  The Panchayat and public of Chungthang held a meeting with the North District administration here at the BDO’s office at Chungthang in North Sikkim yesterday.  The meeting was attended by DC North, TN Kazi, SDM Chungthang, BDO Chungthang, SDPO Chungthang, Panchayat members and the affected people.
During the meeting, the Panchayat president, Lendup Lepcha on behalf of the people highlighted the grievances of the people. He expressed that even after four months since the earthquake nothing has been done for the resettlement and rehabilitation of the affected people. The people have already approached the concerned authority but no feedback has been received as yet.  He also informed that the assurance given by the Chief Minister during his visit to Chungthang has also not been fulfilled.
The Panchayat president also highlighted that many experts from reputed institutions have visited and inspected the damage site and given assurances but nothing has materialized of that as well, Chungthang suffered a lot of damage to life and property in the earthquake but the people of the area feel that they are being neglected since no immediate action has been undertaken to reinstate normalcy in the area.
Water and electricity, although temporarily restored by the department is still erratic. He also informed that the houses which have totally collapsed and damaged cannot be dismantled due to lack of expert advice.
Similarly, other affected people also highlighted the problems faced by them during the meeting.  The people also demanded compensation from Teesta Urja as houses have suffered cracks due to the continuous blasting which has rendered government as well as private properties unsafe.
At the end, the people appealed to the District authority to place their demands to the higher authorities and requested for early action. The DC North, in turn assured the people that immediate restoration work will be taken up in consultation with the higher authority and appealed to the people to have patience as everything will be carried out according to government procedure and norms.
It may be added here that the Ramam power house which supplies electricity to Chungthang and its surrounding areas is also not functioning.  The roads too need maintenance work at several places where there is a risk of stones shooting down.

Govt constitutes R&R Committee for Rangit Stage-II

GANGTOK, 08 Dec: The State government has constituted a Resettlement & Rehabilitation Committee for the project-affected of the Rangit Hydro Electric Project Stage-II. This committee has been constituted as per directions contained in the Environment Clearance issued by the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of India in August, 2006.

Govt hopeful that supplementary assistance will be released soon

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: The State Government is hopeful that a good part of the demand for supplementary assistance sought from the Central government under the Natural Calamity Contingency Fund will be released by the Central government within the next few days.

Sikkim seeks Rs. 2,811 crore under NCCF for repairs and rehabilitation

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: Finally, and at long last, and after much confusion, the actual repair estimates [for immediate restoration and rehabilitation] for the damage suffered in 18 September Earthquake for the State have been ascertained and this figure is just under Rs. 3,000 crore. The estimate for immediate, short term repairs and rehabilitation is Rs. 2,811.99 crore.

60 piglets rehabilitated from Chungthang to Karfectar

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: Sixty weaned (56 days old) Hampshire piglets have been transferred and rehabilitated at the Livestock Farm, Karfectar, from earthquake damaged Bop piggery, Chungthang, North Sikkim, informs a press release issued by Veterinary Officer, Livestock Farm, Karfectar, Dr Phurba Lepcha.

Bey struggles to get back on its feet

Bey villagers rummage through the debris in hopes of salvaging something. A cluster of five houses lie buried under this rubble. Bey has been emptied and its residents camped at a relief camp or with relatives. The villagers have decided to relocate the village to safer location and men at the relief camp brave active slides to visit their homes every couple of days. The survivors are safe and provided for at present, but are yet to get over the trauma of the 18 September Earthquake which claimed seven lives in their village.

WANGCHUK BHUTIAMANGAN, 20 Oct: Bey, falling under Sakyong-Pentong GPU in Upper Dzongu, is one of the worst affected villages of the 18 September Earthquake. The tremors threw down a massive landslide into the village on that Sunday evening, burying a cluster of five houses and killing seven people.

SLYA resolves to coordinate relief and rehabilitation efforts

GANGTOK, 29 Sept: A meeting of the Central Executive Body of the Renjyong Mutanchi Rong Ong Shejum [Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association] was convened on Wednesday at its headquarters under the chairmanship of SLYA president, Ongden Tshering Lepcha, a press release informs.
The meeting expressed deep sorrow on the damage caused by the 18 September earthquake and extended its condolences to the affected people, informs the release issued by SLYA general secretary, Nim Tshering Lepcha.

Arithang sensitized to community’s responsibilities towards combating addiction and rehabilitating addicts

GANGTOK, 12 June: “The biggest threat for the youth is drug abuse. This is not only a problem of the family alone and requires a holistic approach which the society has got to wake up to,” stressed Ashish Rai, Municipal Councillor, Arithang, while speaking to a gathering of youth during a special programme on awareness against substance use and disorders convened at the AIR housing complex here at Arithang yesterday.
The programme was organised by the Arithang Educated Unemployed Cooperative Society. The councillor urged all to come forward to work against the rampant problem of drug abuse and help making the ward “Drug free.”