Pubdate: Sun, 04 Dec 2005 Source: People's Journal (Philippines) Copyright: 2005 People's Journal Contact: http://www.journal.com.ph/contactus.asp Website: http://www.journal.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3381 Author: Alfred Dalizon Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) AIDS AMONG DRUG USERS WORRIES PDEA AUTHORITIES fear the possible spread of contagious diseases including HIV-AIDS among the country's drug addicts who share a single needle in their drug sessions, the People's Journal was told yesterday. "We are watching this new development in the local drug scene: the possibility that drug addicts will become carriers of much dreaded diseases like HIV-AIDS because they are using the same needle," said Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chairman Anselmo S. Avenido, Jr. Recalling the Quiricada underground drug industry in Sta. Cruz, Manila in the 70s and 80s, PDEA officials said they have monitored an area in Cebu City where drug addicts go to have a "shot" of Nubain, an addictive anesthetic. PDEA agents with the help of the local Philippine National Police are clamping down on the drug trade at Ungkera Street in Barangay Camagayan, Cebu City. "There is a report on rampant abuse of Nubain in the said area where addicts can go to have a shot of Nubain for a few bucks. The worst danger here is that the addicts are reportedly getting the shot from the same needle," said another PDEA official, Supt. Primo Golingay. Golingay said Nubain relaxes patients in clinics and hospitals but can have lethal effects once abused or administered the wrong way. "A single needle can spread AIDS, hepatitis or even diabetes among its users in case anyone in a group of addicts resorting to the said practice is a carrier of any of the said diseases," Golingay said. He also said they have reports that fake Nubain is being sold in some parts of the country. "Anybody who will use this fake drug is courting death," he said. The Bureau of Food and Drugs has monitored the proliferation of counterfeit Nubain on the underground market. Avenido said the PDEA is recommending the reclassification of Nubain, also known as Nalbuphine, as a dangerous drug amid reports it is being abused. "Right now, we are conducting talks with the Dangerous Drugs Board to pave the way for the reclassification of Nubain as a dangerous drug," he said. Reports said addicts hooked on shabu are now resorting to Nubain for a new kind of euphoria. "They are trying to get another high this time," said Golingay. Avenido said the practice by some addicts to use a single needle greatly increases the risk of HIV/AIDS contamination and boosts the spread of other deadly diseases. "This is a big no-no and we're worried about that," he said. He made the revelation even as anti-narcotics officers from 26 Asia-Pacific countries and four international organizations agreed to take positive steps to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS among drug users. Avenido said the problem was among those discussed during a high-level conference in Hanoi, Vietnam where Asia-Pacific anti-narcotics chiefs agreed to further enhance their global war against drug trafficking and abuse. "We agreed that Asia-Pacific governments should take good steps to increase their citizens' knowledge on the prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection among drug addicts in order to predict future trends and come up with effective strategies to have aneffective drug law enforcement and ensure the safety of the public," Avenido said. Avenido said that participants in the meeting agreed that the international community should provide protective equipment and awareness training to their frontline law enforcement agents who face the risk of being contaminated with the HIV/AIDS virus and other blood-borne diseases. Asia-Pacific representatives also agreed to take steps to implement procedural guidlines to support the safe and professional interaction between law enforcers and persons with HIV/AIDS and other contagious diseases, he said. - ---