Drop in center iac presentation2012

Escale: Drop in CenterNadia Badran IAS AUGUST 2012

• Background

• SIDC

• Drop in Center

• Guiding principles

• Goals

•Services/Team

•Lessons Learned

INDEX

Background

•Estimation of IDU is between 2,000 &4,000 individuals

•5.7% of the total numbers of PLHIV in Lebanon being IDU

•40% of 2000 outreached DU between 2008-2009 engage in risky behavior), needle sharing &60% do not use condoms consistently during sexual intercourse

•NGOs/centers for detoxification and rehabilitation report that more than 60% of the DU community have Hepatitis C •HR concept still new and the DUs have poor access to HR information and services•MoPH recently approved the use of OST this therapy remains financially inaccessible to most IDU who often belong to extremely deprived groups.

Background

SIDC

Pioneers in community empowerment, services & advocacy towards a healthy society in Lebanon

ESCALE- DROP In CENTER- A model Center

A model center that promotes human rights, gender equality & equal opportunities & accessibility to Harm Reduction (HR) & comprehensive quality care & treatment services for Drug Users (DU) in Lebanon.

GOALContributing to the decrease of HIV/HBV/HCV infection and overdose cases among drug users in Beirut and Mount Lebanon

Guiding Principles

• HR holistically viewed as a basic Human Right &as a health promotion issue

• Services delivered with equity and dignity

• Comprehensive professional support according to Int. protocols

• Adherence to treatment for a best quality of life

• Referring &Networking

Services/Team

• Health care/nursing services (VCT, Vaccines,..)

• Social support• Psychological• Psychiatric treatment• OST program

Services/Team

• Legal advice• Group education, drama

therapy• Hygienic/nutritional/ sportive

services• Referral • Outreach program• NE/ND program

Achievements

• ESCALE reaches today around 800 DU on yearly basis• Beneficiaries are females and males• Majority are aged between 20 - 35 yrs. old with a

category of homeless patients aged between 40 - 55 yrs. old

• 50 patients receive legal assistance yearly• 17% of the Lebanese OST patients are today managed

by Escale

Lessons Learned

• Stigma and discrimination against DUs in the society & the services should be addressed

• Advocacy for upgrading the services addressed to DU in the country should be reinforced.

• Stress management programs should be established within the services to the health care providers

• Professionals working with DU should have the appropriate skills and attitudes

Lessons Learned

• A detailed and clear protocol for the functioning of the premises need to be established &amended periodically

• Good coordination of the tasks of the professionals at the center

• OST & other services addressing DU needs, in a country with limited services to this population, request well structured facilities as well as proper, motivated and sufficient staff

Next Steps

• Sustain the existing holistic services• Increase number of beneficiaries• Promote OST• Establish two separate DIC (for

Women and Men)• Install of an overdose

comprehensive program

Thank You

You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pastures. They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish. Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights, is worthy of all else from you.

Gibran Khalil Gibran