Drug Treatment For Women Who Use Drugs
(DROP-IN-TREATMENT CENTRE)
In response to the drug challenge among adolescent girls and young women, and their vulnerability to; HIV, Hepatitis B & C infection alongside social and economic inequality, YouthRISE Nigeria established a Drop-in-treatment Centre in Abuja, Nigeria. This initiative facilitates the provision of community-based drug treatment services for adolescent girls and young women in vulnerable communities with limited access to health care and services.
Through a client-centered approach the centre provides interventions that also cater for the cross cutting health challenges which include; HIV treatment service, sexual reproductive health services, home based care family counseling/reintegration. Economic empowerment programs are also provided to clients to build their capacity and mitigate dependence on intimate partners which is a leading cause of gender and sexual based violence among this group. Measures towards sustaining this intervention have been inclusive through; community outreaches, advocacy and stakeholders’ engagement, and evidence-based information dissemination.
The DIC has offered drug treatment services to 204 females. Majority of the clients are within age 15-24, unemployed and 74% of them have not gone beyond secondary education. 1 out of 5 is a single mother and reported experience of GBV
Key Achievements
In the last 6 months, the project has successful conducted baseline assessment and orientation meeting with about 53 stakeholders, build partnership with relevant stakeholders in the state, supported the FCT Agency for Control of AIDS in coordination of HIV response in the state and PLHIV networks to provide leadership and advance advocacy for service quality, access and universal health coverage, strengthen community systems and HIV treatment facilities through FACA supported Integrated Supportive Supervision and mentoring support, reactivated and supporting 6 PLHIV support group meetings, providing treatment services to over 500 PLHIV and provide nutrition support to about 200 beneficiaries.
204 females offered drug treatment services
Over 1000 people who use drugs were reached with drug education through IEC materials, community events and the monthly drug education meetings.
275 females provided with HIV testing and counseling. 151 females and 10 males have been treated for Sexually Transmitted Infections. 35 females have engaged in vocational educational programs
As a result of the project, a high reporting of Gender based violence incidence was recorded, family integration, referrals were made for gene-expert as well as Ante-natal care.
