constrained environment

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1 Theme: Peer Involvement and Advocacy Presentation # 556 From Lashio, (Northern Shan State) to Goa, (India): development of a drug user selfhelp pgroup in a politically constrained environment Authors: Mg Mg Thiha Soe - Treatment Support Manager, Kyaw Hla - President: Black Sheep Peer Support Group, Khin Maung Oo - Peer Counsellor, Kyaw Naing Swe - Peer Educator, Ms. Nang Khin Phyu and Zaw Zaw - Needle Patrols; AHRN-Myanmar, April

2 This presentation is dedicated to all ongoing humanitarian work in Myanmar - AHRN Team in Myanmar Our sincere thanks to the International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) for providing full scholarship to make this presentation possible. International Harm Reduction Association AHRN-Myanmar, April

3 Past experiences Drug treatment without the involvement of drug users has limited impact; An existing gap between perceived services and actual services remains a major challenge; Drug Users Support Groups are not easy where drug use is seen as a law enforcement issue; AHRN made an attempt to achieve a high level of fdrug users participation i and dinvolvement into program planning and implementation; AHRN-Myanmar, April

4 An inheritance Chronic drug dependency (for some chaotic or problematic drug use); Repeated relapse; Peer pressure, pattern and nature of drug use; Trust which does not go outside their group; Stigma and discrimination forces them to isolate from community and stay within their own group; Low or no access to health services; Fear of police, arrest and legal problems; AHRN-Myanmar, April

5 Lashio and Goa Historically Lashio and Goa do not have any common ground; One is an underdeveloped hill-town in Myanmar, the other a popular tourist spot in India; In 2008 those places met at the First Asian Consultation on the Prevention of HIV related to Drug Use, when a drug user from AHRN activities in Lashio made his appearance as a drug user representative; For AHRN Myanmar it was the reward of three years work to support drug users. AHRN-Myanmar, April

6 A success story client cam me to Once a AHRN DIC in Lashio As DU Representative to Go oa Confere ence months After few he joins AHRN as Needle Patrol AHRN-Myanmar, April

7 The starting point AHRN requested local authorities in 2005 for a permission to employ a drug user as Needle Patrol to collect contaminated needles/syringes from public places; Currently AHRN has 5 Needle Patrols (4 males, and 1 female) all are on MMT; Domestic assistants at AHRN DICs are also former or current drug users; AHRN-Myanmar, April

8 Continued efforts Since 2005, Regular clients meetings at AHRN DIC explored the concept of self help group; This concept finally led to the Black Sheep Peer Support Group with 28 drug users; An Executive Body including President, Vice President and Secretary was selected with technical support from AHRN management; BSPSG is now in the process of registration; AHRN-Myanmar, April

9 Black Sheep Peer Support Capacity Building One representative is included in Project Management Team (PMT); Black Sheep has gained support and trust from key stakeholders (police, health ); Wide range of activities (i.e. skill building and income generation) is created; In 2008, a Peer Counsellor was selected from Black Sheep who got a position in Treatment t Support Unit (TSU) at AHRN DIC in Lashio with active involvement in program implementation; AHRN-Myanmar, April

10 Activities Prayer after meeting Black Sheep Peer Support Group; Weekly meetings, monthly dinner; Quarterly newsletter; Hospital referral through Buddy System ; Income generation activities; MMT Self help group; Monthly meetings; Support Group for TB patients; Monthly meetings; Female Drug Users Support Group; Monthly meetings; AHRN-Myanmar, April

11 Income Generation Purified drinking water supply: To INGOs, GOs and private places; Catering services (Food preparation): Township level meetings, training programs Contract with AHRN to keep DIC clean; Attendant services to AHRN referrals (hospitalised cases) under Buddy System: 12 hours shift to look after patient under the Treatment Support Unit guidance and support; AHRN-Myanmar, April

12 Busy hours at shop AHRN-Myanmar, April Archive A shop at local festival

13 Newsletter Newsletter is a platform for voicing their opinion through sharing personal experiences with drugs and treatment Some topics available treatment options; story of Black Sheep member on his personal experiences with MMT; TB among drug users; Brief summary of abstract selected for IHRC held in Warsaw; Experience of woman peer educators and female outreach workers; AHRN-Myanmar, April

14 Thank you for your kind attention! Asian Harm Reduction Network (AHRN) 10-A, Hlaing Myint Mo Lane 7, Hlaing Township, Yangon Myanmar Tel: + (95-1) ; Tel/fax: + (95-1) AHRN-Myanmar, April