"DRUG USERS ARE THE SOLUTION, NOT THE PROBLEM."


One of the reason we created the booklets was, to highlight the
importance of involving former and active Drug User but also drug
User in medical treatment as partners in health promotion. Drug
users contribution as knowledgeable and caring leaders, outreach
workers, policy advisors, key informants, client managers,
counselors etc. is evident from countries worldwide, including
China, Iran, India and even here in Malaysia. Even in countries with
extremely repressive policies related to drug users.

Meaningfully involving Drug User is also in line with the GIPA
Principle 'Greater Involvement of People living with HIV/AIDS',
especially for countries where drug users comprise a large
proportion of people living with HIV/AIDS. Involving drug users must
become more explicit.

Involving drug users presents a greater challenge than involving
people living with HIV/AIDS because people don't think they should
be involved. Drug users and sex workers face discrimination even
within the AIDS service community. Drug users can't get involved
without our support. On one hand, people who use drugs need
education and governments agencies and NGO's need to be educated on
the contribution drug users can make how to work with them.

It is clear that former and current drug users were the most
effective outreach workers. But the work itself put outreach workers
who formerly used drugs at risk of relapse. For this, the provision
of substitution therapy to outreach workers who want it should be
seen as a moral imperative by donors and organizations employing
them. Just as GIPA promotes the idea of making the workplace
accommodating for PWHA, workplace issues must be taken into
consideration for people who use drugs.


In addition, just as PWHA organisations have had an important role
in giving PWHA a voice in the decision making process and a role in
service provision, drug user organizations can do the same for drug
users and should be promoted and supported. It is important that
drug user organizations cooperate more with AIDS service
organizations, human rights organizations, harm reduction
organizations and others. Such partnership can both empower the drug
user organizations and sensitize other organizations to the needs of
drug users as well as the contribution they can make.


Pelangi Community Foundation
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
10.May 2005


Contact: Rainer RotthoffPelangi Community FoundationPhone 019 743
7232rainersg@... Pelangi
Community Foundation
Press Release
Kuala Lumpur, May 10, 2005: Pelangi Community Foundation, a
Community Based Organisation for homeless people living with
HIV/AIDS, has published two booklets with the aim of equipping Drop
In Centre staff and all who work with street people with basic and
essential information on their work. The books were written by staff
of Drop In Centres and Drug User Organisations that manage drug
addicts and in some cases were former or present drug users. It also
reflects their actual on the street experiences. The staff and
volunteers are a part of a network in Asia and the Caribbean
(NGOforum,http://www.ngo-forum.net) that work with drug users and
which is supported by EC/DOH.
Drug addiction in Malaysia has hit an all time high, with an average
of 503 new drug addicts a year. In Kuala Lumpur alone, there were
188 new drug addicts (January 2005, Agensi Dadah Kebangsaan,
www.adk.gov.my). It was also reported in a local daily that in
January and February 2005 alone, there were 1909 new cases. An
average of 32 new addicts is caught every day in raids on
entertainment centres and industrial areas with most of them coming
from the private sector.
The stresses of modern day life in the 21st century have only added
to the strain of this societal problem. Drug addiction is no longer
a `lower class' problem, but affects all levels of society. For
professionals that seek temporary relief in substances, such
dependencies may escalate to a downward spiral into poverty and
shame.
Both the booklets are in demand now as street workers and volunteers
at drop-in centres find them to be a refreshing look at managing the
centres themselves and also in dealing with the homeless drug user
on the street. The booklets explain the essentials of dealing with
the drug users on the street as well as at the drop in centre. They
also inform them of what drop-in centres should be like, as well as
useful tips on dealing with the authorities. These are very
important in controlling and reversing the rise of HIV/AIDS in the
world especially in Malaysia.
The books were funded by the European Community and supported by DOH
International, a part of Deutsch Ordens Werke. The main expertise of
DOH International is in drug treatment service provision and
supporting Harm Reduction. Drug use is affected by the economic and
social conditions of local communities and neighbourhoods. Drug use
also knows no geographical or political boundaries. Acknowledging
this, DOH International seeks to develop a network and partnership
with local non governmental organisations (NGO's) from Cambodia
throughout Asia and the Caribbean to Jamaica.
Pelangi Community Foundation was initiated by a small group of
individuals who decided to do something about a specific
marginalized group in particular need. The Foundation is a home for
people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) who are rejected by family and
society. The Foundation ensures that necessary treatment is
administered and also ensures follow-up treatment with doctors and
hospitals. PLWHA are given a clean and hygienic place to stay and
nutritional food to assist in the recovery process. Pelangi also
provides home nursing care, Methadone treatment and runs a Positive
Muslim Support group. The shelter is provided for a period,
depending on clients' needs, their progression in health status and
the social reintegration process.
The Pelangi Community Foundation began in September 1998 with no
particular funding support and has largely depended on the goodwill
of individuals and the various groups like the French Community in
Kuala Lumpur, the Netherlands Embassy and Stiftung Umverteilen in
Germany. The Foundation has since grown, a reflection of its
relevance in serving the community especially a section of society
frequently overlooked and ignored- the homeless person living with
HIV/AIDS.
The booklets are available in English and Bahasa Malaysia.
Translation work into the Mandarin language is in progress.

For more information, please call Rainer Rotthoff at 019 7437232,
rainersg@... or Brian Lariche at brian@... or fax 2284
9841