Programme Director of Marie Adelaide Habilitation Centre (MAHC) Brother Norman has urged the police authorities not to harass or arrest the injecting drug users, visiting MAHC's Drop-in Centre near Burns Road, here.
In a letter addressed to the Programme Manager Enhanced HIV/AIDS Control Programme, he said these addicts, who also happen to be registered clients of DIC seeking services as new syringes, free treatment for different illnesses, including dressing for abscesses besides health education for prevention of HIV/AIDS, are being arrested by the police.
The arrests, Brother Norman feared would discourage the addicts to visit the centre and avail services with the objective of harm reduction to prevent HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C.
Asking the concerned authorities to see that the methodology is inappropriate, the co-ordinator further reminded them that it would not only damage the credibility of the DIC but also severely hamper the government efforts to help prevent vulnerability of addicts, their respective family members and ultimately the entire society against severe blood infections, including AIDS and Hepatitis B and C.
Brother Norman mentioned that MARC has been working with drug addicts for the past 20 years and it also provides rehabilitation and treatment for addiction.
The drop-in centre was established in 2002 after a mapping exercise, which was conducted by UNODC and UNAIDS.
He urged that the issue must be addressed with proper planning by means of involving NGOs and all the stakeholders working in the field of drug abuse.