Bio
I am a management graduate and currently working as Team Leader, Technical Support Unit of National AIDS Control Organization, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India. Over the past fourteen years, as the Team Leader of TSU, I have played an instrumental role in providing program planning, implementation, and management support to the State AIDS Control Societies of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh. In this position, I have contributed to the expansion of Targeted Intervention program among High Risk Group Population for prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS across the State including initiation of Opioid Substitution Treatment for PWID across several settings including government hospitals, NGOs and in the community. I had the opportunity to play an instrumental role in initiatives taken to improve the quality of HIV prevention services such as the development of standardized material for capacity building, standard operating procedures etc. I also have experience of implementing community-based research studies among marginalized population groups including substance users. I have conducted assessments of programs being implemented among drug dependents; data resulted in a better understanding of the programmatic gaps and areas in service delivery that need to be strengthened. In partnership with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), I have coordinated research studies conducted in Northern region of India to estimate the number of substance using population. In addition, I have successfully handled research projects in partnership with National AIDS Control Organisation, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, State AIDS Control Society and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
Abstract
Evolution of Community-based Peer Led Intervention for prevention of substance use among children: Experiential Learning Model from Chandigarh, India
Background:
Findings of the “Magnitude of Substance Use in India” (2019) indicate the prevalence of substance use among children and adolescents(10-17 yrs.) moreover, National Crime Records Bureau data shows the rising trend of crimes by juveniles.
Objectives & Rationale:
SPYM in partnership with Chandigarh Police implemented a project among children vulnerable to substance use in India. The project aimed to a) disseminate facts in relation to harmful effects of substance abuse amongst children and b) impart life skills education with a focus on non-formal education, health & hygiene, value inculcation for positive individual growth.
Methodology:
The project assured active involvement of stakeholders, leveraging on local resources in order to build the ownership of intervention by the community. The experiential learning model is used, administered by a trained pool of Peer Educators through interactive methods.
Results:
A total of 1393 vulnerable children were covered. Key outcomes of the impact assessment study are a) Reduction in absenteeism from school from 23% to 9% b) Reduction in substance use from 18% to 5%.
Conclusion:
Based on the SPYM experience & advocacy, the project is scaled up in above 150 districts across India by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India.