Assam: Drug Use Worsens State HIV Scenario

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: The HIV-positive cases in the state now stem mostly from drug use, unlike in earlier times, when other factors like unsafe sex practices, transmission from long-distance truck drivers passing through the state, and from HIV-positive people from neighbouring states, among other causes, were involved.

In the last four years, HIV cases in the state have been on the rise exponentially, mostly from injecting drug users (IDUs). In 2020-21, among the fresh HIV cases, 6% were IDUs. In 2021-22, of the total number of fresh HIV cases, 26.54% were IDU-related. In 2022-23, the percentage of cases from IDUs increased to 43.7%.

The situation has come to such a pass that the joint director of Health, Dhubri, has issued a red alert regarding the spread of HIV in the district. From January to October this year, around 300 new HIV-positive cases were detected. Of this, around 95% of cases are linked to needle sharing among drug users.

Sources said that it is not only in Dhubri district but also in other districts where IDUs play a significant role in the spread of HIV.

A senior doctor said, "This change in the cause of HIV is very dangerous. The maximum of new cases are now IDU-related. The number of students and young women among IDUs has also increased significantly. This can be attributed to the easy availability of drugs, despite the war on drugs by the state government. Needle-sharing is not just a medical issue. Intervention efforts must include community outreach, education, and targeted campaigns to address drug abuse and risky behaviour."

Sources said that Assam witnessed a three-fold rise in HIV-positive cases, with an increasing trend of spreading the virus through IDUs. In 2020-21, the number of new HIV cases registered in Assam was 1,288, which increased in 2023-24 to 7,274 cases, an increase of around 465%.

 Official sources said the new HIV infection rate is increasing significantly in four states of the NE region, including Assam. These states are Tripura (524%), Arunachal Pradesh (469%), Meghalaya (124%), and Assam (22%). The percentage of increase in HIV cases is as compared to 2010.

Despite the concerted efforts of the state government in combating the menace of drugs, there are reports of drug seizures made each and every day, from all nooks and corners, which points to the fact that the menace has spread its roots. According to an official survey, at present there are around 5 lakh teenage drug users in the state. If the government, parents, and the society at large are not alert to this menace, the number of HIV-positive cases in the state will rise sky-high, not for any other reasons but only from IDUs.

Also Read: Assam: HIV/AIDS Cases Surge in Dubri, Raising Health Concerns for Public

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