The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

There are some 20,000 injecting drug users (IDUs) in Bangladesh, and of them, 5,000-7,000 live in the Dhaka city alone.

HIV infection among IDUs increased to over 10 per cent in a particular area in the capital, which crossed concentrated level of 5 per cent indicating the impending danger of HIV epidemic.

In Myanmar, 80 per cent of total HIV epidemics are being contributed by IDUs.

It was stated at a four-day training programme on "Evidence Based Drug Dependence Treatment for DNC and Prison Officials" of the "Police, Prisons, Narcotics Control and Community Service: A Tripartite Project to reduce crime, drug addiction and to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in Dhaka City" that began at the Department of Narcotics Control in the city from yesterday.

It was organised jointly by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Family Health International and South-South Centre, Bangladesh.

Experts observed that training of evidence based drug dependence treatment of medical professionals of DNC and prisons would strengthen the trainees' ability in combating drug dependence and HIV/AIDS.

A total of 15 doctors and pharmacists especially working in drug dependence treatment at DNC and prisons are participating at the training programme.

Director General of DNC Md Humayun Kabir attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest, while South-South Centre Coordinator Mohammad Hadis Uddin as special guest.

Prof Dr Nazmul Ahsan, Director and Chief Consultant of Central Treatment Centre, DNC presided over the opening ceremony.

Md Saiful Islam Shaheen of SSC conducted the opening ceremony, while Khondker Zakiur Rahman of FHI and Mahidul Islam of SSC were present, among others.