Chairman of Youth Power Nepal and director of Drug Abuse Harm Reduction Programme, Rishi Raj Ojha, presented a fourth amendment proposal on Narcotic (Control) Act 2033 (1976) to home minister Khum Bahadur Khadka here on Friday.

The escalating problem of drug abuse in the country has been a matter of concern for decades. However, with the drug users indulging in unprotected sexual practices and Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) sharing their needles and syringes, drug users have become more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.

It is estimated that there are some 60,000 drug addicts in the country, with some 20 to 25,000 IDUs. According to WHO and UNAIDS, 50 per cent of the IDUs are infected with HIV/AIDS.

To curb this rising problem of HIV/AIDS transmission through sharing of syringe and needles, Youth Power Nepal has been conducting a needle and syringe exchange programme since 1991 and methadone maintenance, providing methadone as a supplement drug to IDUs, since 1994.

“It is essential to form clear policies and legal provisions on these programmes that are the most effective means of ensuring immediate prevention,” states the proposal. “Along with these hindrances, the negative perception of the public about the drug addicts has posed a serious challenge in development of the programmes.”

The proposal has requested the home ministry to comprehend the suggestions and present it in the next parliamentary session.