Tripura, India: According to recent data from the Tripura State AIDS Control Society (TSACS), over 800 students have tested positive for HIV since 2007, with 47 deaths. This alarming rise in HIV cases is being attributed to the growing problem of injectable drug use among students in the state.
TSACS Project Director Dr. Samarpita Dutta stated that 87% of HIV infections are in the 15-30 age group, with even some students under 15 confirmed as injectable drug users. The HIV positivity rate among intravenous drug users has risen from 5% pre-COVID to 10% post-COVID.
While exploring the main cause of rising number of HIV case amongst students are due to Drug consumption.
The project director of Tripura State Aids Control Society Mrs. Samarpita Dutta have said that the maximum number of HIV positive cases are fall out of Drug consumption through Intravenous method of Drug consumption amongst students which is a matter of concern.
“Tripura government have been running awareness drive across educational institutions over several years now. After Dr. Manik Saha assuming the office of Chief Minister, Government have made it mandatory for all private and government aided schools to undertake special classes every week to teach students about AIDS and harmful consequences of Drugs Consumption”, said Ajoy Pal, a teacher.
On ground we tried to understand the perennial source of Drugs amongst students in Tripura. We, met few victims who have been diagnosed with HIV positive and have been consuming drugs by IV method for several years.
Case Study 1
He is a 22 year old student studying Civil Engineering. He have been addicted since he was 15 years old. He got addicted to Drugs from his friends and have been consuming Heroine by intravenous method eversince. His father was a Principal in a reputed School in Agartala and mother is an Architectural Engineer in Dubai.
Case Study 2
He is a 23 year old boy who have been an addict since last several years. His father is an auto driver and mother is a house wife. He said that procuring drugs is easy in city. He shared that first the drugs are made available in abundance and after one become an addict, they can go to any extent to procure the drugs from peddler.
Case study 3
He is a boy in late 20s. He was a professional football player represented Tripura in many stages. But he got addicted to drugs from his friends and after he became an addict , he involved in antisocial activities to raise money for purchasing drugs. He was arrested by police for antisocial activities, four years ago, he was sent to a rehab in Kolkata and Guwahati and he has now taken initiative to educate students and rehabilitate students who have fallen prey to drugs.
Sources reveal that the Drugs in different forms are being pushed by Drug lords from Myanmar through Mizoram border and enters the state of Tripura and Assam.
Sources in Narcotics Control Bureau have also raised alarm against the consumption of Restricted Pharmacy drugs like Bufferine Morphine, Pentozocine, Diazepam, Tramadol. Recent study shows that in absence of conventional drugs, addicted students prefer consuming Restricted Pharmacy Drugs which as not very hard to procure.
