Naloxone Save Lives Not ‘’When in Pakistan?’’


Author: Zeeshan Ayyaz, Kate Dolan

Theme: Social Science & Policy Research Year: 2017

Background
The UNODC estimates that Pakistan has 6.7million drug users, of whom 4million are addicts, giving us one of the highest number in the world. It is estimated that one in every 20 Pakistanis between the ages 15 and 64 is dependent on drugs. According to the UNODC and International alert an estimated 700 people die every day in Pakistan due to drug-related complications. The UNAIDS Pakistan estimates 100,000 people are living with HIV.
Participants and Design
Our Society provides medical care, overdose prevention awareness and overdose victims friend can call 1122 emergency rescue service at the Government Victoria Hospital for treatment in Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
Result
We visited 5 hotspots, where we invited more than 50 PWIDs and 20 came to our office for training on overdose, first aid and how to deal with critical situations. We trained our PWIDs how to help each other and improve knowledge of others, if someone had taken an overdose then call 1122 or contact us as soon as possible for them 24/7. Our 20 PWIDs volunteers were trained in first aid support to other fellows. Our trained 20 PWIDs improved other knowledge and saved many of PWIDs lives and connected them to Government Hospital. The self-help advocacy program helped us to reduce our financial resource use and help more people.

Conclusion
In this high-risk environment our Pakistani PWIDs suffer many problems, lack access to complete harm reduction services and are dying from inaction. We recommend urgent action to address this catastrophe. Our PWIDs need completely access to harm reduction immediately before we more lives lost.

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