Anti-HIV/AIDS program doesn’t promote drug use

CEBU, Philippines- Amidst opposition, the Department of Health emphasized that its Harm Reduction Program is aimed at fighting HIV/AIDS and not in any way promoting drug use.

 The Cebu City Anti-Drug Abuse Council recently opposed the program because it provides free syringes to ‘persons who inject drugs’ or PWID.

“It’s not in any other way a promotion of the use of drugs,” said DOH – 7 Director Dr. Jaime Bernadas.

He explained that the intervention is basically to provide access to safe supplies. “With the unsafe use of unhygienic syringes, hatagan nato og avenue (sila) nga naay access to sterile syringes,” he said.

“I know there are a lot of questions raised but this program is intended at countering the incidents of HIV/AIDS,” he added.

 DOH statistics note that of the 537 new HIV cases recorded in October 2014 nationwide, 10 percent or 53 individuals are in Central Visayas. The National Capital Region has the highest number with 38 percent while Region IV is second at 14 percent.

 “We are number one outside of Luzon in terms of the incidents of HIV/AIDS,” Bernadas said.

 He said the distribution of free syringes is undertaken by some of DOH’s non-government organization partners. He said the free syringes are directed to drug users who are more prone to being infected with HIV/AIDS.

 Still, Bernadas said DOH is open to further discussions with concerned sectors.   Late last year, CADAC requested to reissue their previous submitted resolution, which articulated its strong opposition to the program.

 “We find it ironical, when we are fighting for the prevention of drug use, they are instead promoting its use,” said CADAC chairman Clarence Paul Oaminal

 The former undersecretary of the Dangerous Drugs Board pointed out that the program should not be implemented.

“The Cebu City Anti-Drug Abuse Council does not question the nobility of the purpose of the said project but it contradicts Section 12 of Article II of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as Dangerous Drugs Board,” the resolution reads.

 Under the law, it is unlawful for a person, who unless, authorized by law, to possess or have under his or her control any equipment, instrument, apparatus and other paraphernalia fit or intended for smoking, consuming, administering, injecting, ingesting, or introducing any dangerous drug into the body.

 “It (injecting for the use of drugs) is as a crime, a violation,” Oaminal said.

 CADAC recommended the suspension of the program until the legality of the act would be resolved.

 “We wanted to resolve this peacefully in the City Council. But if this is not resolved, we would apprehend drug users who will be caught while using the free syringes,” Oaminal said.  (FREEMAN)