Biratnagar, March 13:

The Richmond Fellowship, Nepal yesterday set-up a Drop-in Centre on Biratnagar-Jogbani border area to control drugs trafficking from there.

Operation of the centre is supported by the District Public Health Centre, Nepal Family Planning Association and District Development Committee AIDS coordination centre.

The Biratnagar-Jogbani border area is regarded s the prime centre for import of drugs to Nepal from India. “The centre was also established to save drug abusers from getting infected with HIV, Hepatitis B, among other diseases,” the Richmond sources said.

“The centre will provide consultancy, health services and distributes new syringes and condoms,” Bijay Singh Basnet, coordinator of the Richmond Fellowship Programme said, adding: “The centre was established to control the drugs abusers and trafficking of drugs.”

He added: “We estimate that everyday over 150 drugs abusers go to Jogbani to take their doses. The drugs abusers will benefit after the establishment of the centre,” the sources said.

There were three drop-in centres in Jogbani nine months ago but now they are no more in operation.