Anti-Drug Council Opposes Cebu City’s Anti-HIV Project on Free Syringes

The Cebu City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) has opposed the Cebu City Health Department’s (CHD) “harm reduction program” that distributes free syringes to those who inject drugs in one barangay in the city.

The free distribution of syringes is part of the CHD’s program to keep more people from getting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which leads to the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids).

Lawyer Paul Oaminal, who spoke in behalf of CADAC, said the program has a noble purpose, but it should still be not allowed because it seems to be tolerating the use of illegal drugs.

“Instead of preventing and campaigning for people not to use illegal drugs, the program seems to be inviting people to use illegal drugs,” he said.

Dr. Ilya Tac-an of the CHD said the program does not encourage the use of injectible drugs at all.

“We are one with the drug abuse council in the fight against illegal drugs. In fact, in our advocacy, we always include its ill effects,” she said.

Tac-an said that under the program, drug users, particularly those who inject substances, are given a free supply of sterile syringes to help prevent the spread of HIV-Aids.

The Department of Health (DOH) has reported that in October 2014, there were 537 more persons with HIV nationwide.

Ten percent or 53 individuals are in Central Visayas.

Tac-an said Cebu City is among the top 10 places in the country with a high number of persons with HIV.

“HIV spreads rapidly if we do not do something. That is why we need this program,” Dr. Tac-an said.

She said giving away sterile syringes helps those who inject drugs to avoid sharing syringes, which is one way by which HIV spreads.

The program is being implemented in Barangay Kamagayan, known as the red light district in Cebu City.

Dr. Tac-an said 74 percent of the current population of persons with HIV, 74 percent inject drugs, including freelance sex workers.

She said some pregnant women who have HIV turned out to have husbands who injected drugs.

From 2010 to 2014, 33 pregnant women were found to be persons with HIV, CHD records showed. (PNA) LAP/EB